“This distinction was awarded in violation of the procedure and legal norms, namely the Regulation on how to propose for decoration with state distinctions and their handing over. The proposal for the decoration of Vladimir Plahotniuc came from the Municipal Organization of the Democratic Party, which is a violation of legal norms, as the law does not provide political parties among the subjects who can make proposals regarding the decoration with state distinctions,” commented president Maia Sandu.

In 2014, president Nicolae Timofti decorated Vladimir Plahotniuc with the supreme distinction of Moldova, the Order of the Republic, for contributions to the completion of the major foreign policy objective of Moldova – political association and economic integration with European Union.” In 2007, president Vladimir Voronin awarded Plahotniuc the Order of Work Glory for his contribution to the reconstruction of the Curchi Monastic Complex and his merits in preserving and propagating the historical and cultural heritage”.

In the presidential campaign of 2016, Maia Sandu declared that if she becomes president, she will withdraw Plahotniuc’s distinction.