The former head of Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia, Irina Vlah, on Wednesday declared her candidacy for the upcoming presidential election in the republic as an independent candidate, Paralel.Az reports citing Sputnik International.

On December 24, 2023, incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced her intention to run for a second term and also asked the country's parliament to organize a referendum on the country's possible accession to the European Union. Both votes will take place on October 20.

"My election program will focus exclusively on specific problems of people and their solutions. I know these problems because I am always close to the people, always with them. I know what worries people and what they expect. I am running for president to guarantee peace and restore people's faith in the future of Moldova," Vlah told reporters at a briefing in Chisinau.