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| image = Игорь Додон (29-10-2019).jpg
| caption = Dodon in 2019
| office = 5th [[President of Moldova]]
| citizenship = {{flagcountry|Republic of Moldova}}<br />{{flagcountry|Russia}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://infoprut.ro/69857-dodon-caruia-nu-ii-mai-place-dubla-cetatenie-are-si-cetatenia-rusa.html | title=Dodon, căruia nu îi mai place dubla cetățenie, are și cetățenia rusă | date=3 November 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/moldova/politica/igor-dodon-obtinut-cetatenia-federatiei-ruse-renato-usatii-dezvaluiri-1_5ea08f955163ec4271062163/index.html |title=Igor Dodon ar fi obţinut cetăţenia Federaţiei Ruse. Renato Usatîi face noi dezvăluiri |publisher=adevarul.ro |date= 22 April 2020|accessdate=21 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.podul.ro/articol/12372/dezvluiri-explozive-din-veceul-dumei-de-la-moscova-igor-dodon-are-cetenie-ruseasc-un-deputat-rus-in-faa-pisoarului-putin-i-a-dat-cetenia-rus-prin-decretul-su-secret|title = Dezvăluiri explozive din veceul Dumei de la Moscova: Igor Dodon are cetățenie RUSEASCĂ! Un deputat rus, în fața pisoarului: "Putin i-a dat cetățenia rusă prin decretul său secret!"|date = 3 November 2020}}</ref>
| primeminister = [[Pavel Filip]]<br/>[[Maia Sandu]]<br/>[[Ion Chicu]]
| order =
| officetermstart = 23 December = 2016
| term_starttermend = 24 December 2020
| term_endpredecessor = [[Nicolae = Timofti]]
| successor = [[Maia Sandu]]
| office1 = Executive SecretaryPresident of the [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova|Party of Socialists]]
| term_start1termstart1 = 23 March 2024
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = [[VladHimself Batrîncea]](as Executive Secretary)
| successor1 =
| term_start2termstart2 = 30 December 2020
| term_end2termend2 = 18 December 2021
| predecessor2 = [[Zinaida Greceanîi]]
| successor2 = [[Vlad Batrîncea]] (as Executive Secretary)
| office3termstart3 = 18 December = 2011
| primeminister3termend3 = 18 December 2016
| term_start3 =
| term_end3 =
| predecessor3 = [[Veronica Abramciuc]]
| successor3 = Zinaida Greceanîi
| office4 = [[Cabinet of Moldova|First Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova]]
| president4 = [[Vladimir Voronin]]<br/>[[Mihai Ghimpu]] (acting)
| primeminister4 = Zinaida Greceanîi
| termstart4 = 31 March 2008
| termend4 = 14 September 2009
| predecessor4 = Zinaida Greceanîi
| office5 = [[Ministry of Economy (Moldova)|Minister of Economy and Trade]]
| termstart5 = 18 September 2006
| termend5 = 14 September 2009
| primeminister5 = [[Vasile Tarlev]]<br/>Zinaida Greceanîi
| predecessor5 = [[Valeriu Lazăr]]
| successor5 = Valeriu Lazăr (as Minister of Economy)
| office6 = [[Ministry of Economy (Moldova)|Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade]]
| president6 = Vladimir Voronin
| primeminister6 = Vasile Tarlev
| termstart6 = 18 May 2005
| termend6 = 18 September 2006
| office7 = Member of the [[Moldovan Parliament]]
| termend7 = 28 October 2021
| termstart7 = 23 July 2021
| predecessor7 =
| successor7 = [[Adrian Lebedinschi]]
| parliamentarygroup7 = [[Bloc of Communists and Socialists]]
| office8 =
| termstart8 = 14 August 2009
| termend8 = 15 December 2016
| successor8 = [[Irina Mizdrenco]]
| parliamentarygroup8 = [[Bloc of Communists and Socialists]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|2|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Sadova, Călărași|Sadova]], [[Moldavian SSR]], [[Soviet Union]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| citizenship = {{flagcountry|Republic of Moldova}}<br />{{flagcountry|Russia}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://infoprut.ro/69857-dodon-caruia-nu-ii-mai-place-dubla-cetatenie-are-si-cetatenia-rusa.html | title=Dodon, căruia nu îi mai place dubla cetățenie, are și cetățenia rusă | date=3 November 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/moldova/politica/igor-dodon-obtinut-cetatenia-federatiei-ruse-renato-usatii-dezvaluiri-1_5ea08f955163ec4271062163/index.html |title=Igor Dodon ar fi obţinut cetăţenia Federaţiei Ruse. Renato Usatîi face noi dezvăluiri |publisher=adevarul.ro |date= 22 April 2020|accessdate=21 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.podul.ro/articol/12372/dezvluiri-explozive-din-veceul-dumei-de-la-moscova-igor-dodon-are-cetenie-ruseasc-un-deputat-rus-in-faa-pisoarului-putin-i-a-dat-cetenia-rus-prin-decretul-su-secret|title = Dezvăluiri explozive din veceul Dumei de la Moscova: Igor Dodon are cetățenie RUSEASCĂ! Un deputat rus, în fața pisoarului: "Putin i-a dat cetățenia rusă prin decretul său secret!"|date = 3 November 2020}}</ref>
| party = [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova|Party of Socialists]] (2011–2016, 2020–present)<br />[[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova|Party of Communists]] (2010–2011)<br />[[Independent (politician)|Independent]] (2016–2020)
| party = [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova|PSRM]] <small>(2011–2016, 2020–present)</small>
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Galina Dodon]]|1999}}
| children = 3
| education =
| website = {{url|dodon.md|Official website}}
| president2 =
| president3 =
| office4 = Member of the [[Moldovan Parliament]]
| president4 =
| primeminister4 =
| termend4 = 28 October 2021
| termstart4 = 23 July 2021
| predecessor4 =
| successor4 = [[Adrian Lebedinschi]]
| office2 = Leader of the [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova|Party of Socialists]]
| primeminister2 =
| office5 =
| termstart5 = 14 August 2009
| termend5 = 15 December 2016
| president5 =
| primeminister5 =
| minister5 =
| parliamentarygroup =
| parliamentarygroup1 =
| awards = [[Order of Work Glory]]<br/>[[Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem|Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem]]
| alma_mater = [[State Agrarian University of Moldova]]<br/>[[Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova]]<br/>[[IMI-NOVA International Management Institute]]
| otherparty = [[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova|PCRM]] <small>(2010-2011)</small>
| termend1 =
| termstart1 = 10 April 2023
| predecessor =
| primeminister =
| termstart2 = 30 December 2020
| termend2 = 18 December 2021
| successor3 = Zinaida Greceanîi
| parliamentarygroup3 =
| parliamentarygroup4 = [[Bloc of Communists and Socialists]]
| predecessor5 =
| office6 = 5th [[President of Moldova]]
| president6 =
| primeminister6 = [[Pavel Filip]]<br/>[[Maia Sandu]]<br/>[[Ion Chicu]]
| predecessor6 = [[Nicolae Timofti]]
| successor6 = Maia Sandu
| termend6 = 24 December 2020
| termstart6 = 23 December 2016
| office7 = [[Cabinet of Moldova|First Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova]]
| minister7 =
| president7 = [[Vladimir Voronin]]<br/>[[Mihai Ghimpu]] (acting)
| primeminister7 = Zinaida Greceanîi
| termstart7 = 31 March 2008
| termend7 = 14 September 2009
| office8 = [[Ministry of Economy (Moldova)|Minister of Economy and Trade]]
| termstart8 = 18 September 2006
| termend8 = 14 September 2009
| primeminister8 = [[Vasile Tarlev]]<br/>Zinaida Greceanîi
| minister8 = Valeriu Lazăr
| predecessor7 = Zinaida Greceanîi
| successor7 =
| successor5 = [[Irina Mizdrenco]]
| president8 = Vladimir Voronin<br/>Mihai Ghimpu (acting)
| termstart =
| office9 = [[Ministry of Economy (Moldova)|Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade]]
| termstart9 = 18 May 2005
| termstart3 = 18 December 2011
| termend9 = 18 September 2006
| termend3 = 18 December 2016
| president9 = Vladimir Voronin
| predecessor8 = [[Valeriu Lazăr]]
| successor8 = Valeriu Lazăr
| primeminister9 = Vasile Tarlev
| parliamentarygroup5 = [[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova|Party of Communists]]<br/>[[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova|Party of Socialists]]
}}
 
'''Igor Dodon''' ({{IPA-|ro|ˈiɡor doˈdon|pron||mol}}; born 18 February 1975) is a [[Moldova]]nMoldovan politician who previously served as the 5th [[Presidentpresident of Moldova]] from 23 December 2016 to 24 December 2020. He currently serves as the leader of the [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova]] since 2024. He served as [[Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization|Minister of Economy and Trade]] in the governments of [[Vasile Tarlev]] and [[Zinaida Greceanîi]] from September 2006 to September 2009 and was a member of the [[Parliament of Moldova]] from 2009 to 2016. He lost his bid for re-election in [[2020 Moldovan presidential election|2020]] to [[Maia Sandu]], whom he had defeated four years earlier in the [[2016 Moldovan presidential election]].
 
On 24 May 2022, Dodon was arrested by the Moldovan authorities on charges of [[passive corruption]], illegal financing of a political party by a [[criminal organization]], [[illicit enrichment]], and [[high treason]] against Moldova through receiving funds from fugitive Moldovan politician [[Vladimir Plahotniuc]] in order to intercede on Plahotniuc's behalf regarding criminal cases filed in [[Russia]]. He was placed under [[house arrest]] on 26 May in order to allow prosecutors to investigate the allegations further.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Moldova: Freedom in the World 2023 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/moldova/freedom-world/2023 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=[[Freedom House]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-24 |title=Moldovan ex-president detained in treason, corruption probe |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moldova-eastern-europe-igor-dodon-hungary-65cd311e87d36fcb6c583c7cf903855f |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2022-05-24 |title=Moldova's pro-Russian former president Dodon detained, says he is innocent |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovan-investigators-search-home-former-president-dodon-2022-05-24/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Seddon |first=Max |date=2022-05-24 |title=Moldova's former pro-Russia leader detained as part of treason probe |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c98a86ac-d00a-44f1-8736-9a698cec834d |access-date=2023-08-01}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=2022-05-26 |title=Moldova places former President Dodon under house arrest |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-places-former-president-dodon-under-house-arrest-2022-05-26/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-24 |title=Moldovan ex-president detained for alleged graft, treason – DW – 05/24/2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/moldovan-ex-president-detained-for-alleged-graft-treason/a-61913546 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en}}</ref> The [[United States Department of the Treasury]] has also accused Dodon of corruption and conspiring with [[Russia]] through his political aides to interfere with the Moldovan elections and rig the media in his favour.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=Treasury Targets Corruption and the Kremlin's Malign Influence Operations in Moldova |url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1049 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=[[United States Department of the Treasury]] |language=en}}</ref> He was released from house arrest on 18 November 2022 pending a court trial on all charges.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Tanas |first=Alexander |date=2022-11-18 |title=Former Moldovan president released, vows new protests |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/former-moldovan-president-released-vows-new-protests-2022-11-18/ |access-date=2023-07-05}}</ref>
Line 107 ⟶ 74:
== Early and personal life ==
 
Igor Dodon was born on 18 February 1975 in [[Sadova, Călărași|Sadova]] village in the [[Călărași District]] of the [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic]] (now [[Moldova]]) to Nicolae (died 2012<ref name="publika">{{cite web|url=https://en.publika.md/great-joy-in-sadova-native-village-of-newly-elected-president-dodon_2630695.html|author=PUBLIKA.MD – AICI SUNT ȘTIRILE|title=Great joy in Sadova, native village of newly elected president Dodon {{pipe}} PUBLIKA .MD – AICI SUNT ȘTIRILE|website=en.publika.md|date=14 November 2016|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626213945/https://en.publika.md/great-joy-in-sadova-native-village-of-newly-elected-president-dodon_2630695.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>) and Galina Dodon, a Romanian language teacher in his native village.<ref>{{cite web|title=VIDEO // Casa părintească a lui Igor Dodon, văzută de la înălțime|url=https://www.deschide.md/ro/stiri/social/75310/VIDEO--Casa-părintească-a-lui-Igor-Dodon-văzută-de-la-înălțime.htm|access-date=13 November 2020|website=Deschide.MD|language=ro}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 
===Studies and didactic activity===
Line 118 ⟶ 85:
After graduating from educational institutions, since July 1997 Igor Dodon has been employed at the Moldovan Stock Exchange. Thus, between 1997 and 2001 he worked as a senior specialist of the Clearing Department, of the Listing Department, administrator of the Electronic Trading Systems and then, Director of the Marketing, Listing Department within the Moldovan Stock Exchange.
Between November 2001 and May 2005, he served as chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the National Depository of Securities of Moldova SA. From September 2002 to May 2005 he was the chairman of the Universal Commodity Exchange of Moldova.
Between February 2003 – May 2005, Igor Dodon is a member of the expert committee to the National Securities Commission of Moldova. Also, between March 2004 – May 2005, he is also a member of the Arbitration Commission of the Stock Exchange. He publisheswas scientific articles in scientific journals, being thean editor of the Newsletter "Stock Exchange of Moldova" and of the Stock Market Bulletin of the Universal Commodities Exchange "Stock Exchange – Stock market quotations".<ref name="Radio Europa Liberă_2019-08-24">{{Citation | url=https://moldova.europalibera.org/a/28026118.html| title=Igor Dodon (PSRM) – date biografice| newspaper=Radio Europa Liberă| date=22 October 2016| access-date=24 August 2019}}</ref>
 
== Political career ==
Dodon was appointed to the post of Associate Minister of Trade and Economics in May 2005, during the [[second Tarlev Cabinet]]. He assumed the position of Minister of Trade and Economics in September 2006. He held the position until September 2009, when the [[Second Greceanîi Cabinet|government of Zinaida Greceanîi]] ended. Dodon also held the post of Associate Prime Minister under Greceanîi from 2008 until 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dodon.md/ru/about/profession/ |title=Профессия « Igor Dodon |access-date=3 July 2017 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231234609/http://dodon.md/ru/about/profession/ |archive-date=31 December 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Presedinte.md/eng/biography_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=http://www.presedinte.md/eng/biography| title=Biography of President of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon| newspaper=Presedinte.md/eng/biography| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>
 
In 2005, the PCRM also had won the elections<ref name="E-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2005/info/_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=http://www.e-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2005/info/| title=Informaţii generale despre alegerile parlamentare 2005 în Moldova / Alegeri 2005| newspaper=E-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2005/info/| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> having an open pro-European platform, with a pro-European slogan "I Vote", where the European stars surrendered the hammer and sickle on the red Communist wallpaper.<ref name="E-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2005/opponents/pcrm/_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=http://www.e-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2005/opponents/pcrm/| title=Partidul Comuniştilor din Republica Moldova (PCRM) (45.98%, 56 mandate) / Alegeri 2005| newspaper=E-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2005/opponents/pcrm/| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>
 
In 2007, a trend for all political forces was to adopt a pro-European platform for the elections in 2009. In this regard, Igor Dodon, during his work trips to Brussels, had assured the high rank European officials on how he and an entire Communist party were pro-European.<ref name="Moldova.org_2007-03-23">{{Citation | url=https://www.moldova.org/ministrul-igor-dodon-va-avea-un-sir-de-intrevederi-cu-oficiali-ai-comisiei-europene-38192-rom/| title=Ministrul Igor Dodon va avea un sir de intrevederi cu oficiali ai Comisiei Europene — Moldova.org| newspaper=Moldova.org| date= 23 March 2007| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>
 
In September 2009, after 8 years of governing, the Communist Party came into opposition. Igor Dodon had lost his ministerial position. He became an MP in the Parliament, which was reelected in November 2010. He had the 6th position in the PCRM list of the candidates.<ref name="E-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2010/opponents/pcrm/list/_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=http://www.e-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2010/opponents/pcrm/list/| title=Lista candidaţilor PCRM pentru alegerile parlamentare 2010 / Alegeri 2010| newspaper=E-democracy.md/elections/parliamentary/2010/opponents/pcrm/list/| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> The Communists has changed the European vector, and in 2010 they drifted to east, and self-declared as pro-Russians.<ref name="E-democracy.md/files/elections/parliamentary2010/electoral-program-pcrm-2010-ro.pdf_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=http://www.e-democracy.md/files/elections/parliamentary2010/electoral-program-pcrm-2010-ro.pdf| newspaper=E-democracy.md/files/elections/parliamentary2010/electoral-program-pcrm-2010-ro.pdf| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>
 
Igor Dodon, in only a year, since 2009 by 2010, became a convinced pro Moldovan – no Europe, neither Russia. "Moldova can become a contact point for different countries; an area where first of all will interfere the economic interests of our neighbors and partners. We are in a very advantageous position in terms of the common interest of CIS and EU and this objective shall become an issue of the external policy."<ref name="Dodon.md/moldova-moldoveni-moldovenesc/_2019-07-08">{{Citation| url=http://dodon.md/moldova-moldoveni-moldovenesc/| title=Moldova – moldoveni – moldovenesc| newspaper=Dodon.md/moldova-moldoveni-moldovenesc/| access-date=8 July 2019| archive-date=8 July 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708101637/http://dodon.md/moldova-moldoveni-moldovenesc| url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
In June 2011, Dodon lost to [[Dorin Chirtoacă]] at the elections for mayor of [[Chișinău]]. He took 49.4% of the votes.<ref>{{cite web |author=Politic Versiune pentru tipar |url=http://www.azi.md/ro/story/19193 |title=CEC a anunţat rezultatele finala la Chişinău – Moldova Azi |website=Azi.md |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-date=24 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724054819/http://www.azi.md/ro/story/19193 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The local elections have been an occasion for the Communist Party to return to power, at the least at the local authority level. During the election campaign, Igor Dodon went to Brussels where he had meetings with the European officials<ref name="Point.md_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=https://point.md/ru/novosti/politika/igor-dodon-se-intilneste-astazi-cu-prim-ministrul-belgiei| title=Igor Dodon se intilneste astazi cu prim-ministrul Belgiei| newspaper=Point.md| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> in order to establish the potential partnerships: "I am at the working trip in Brussels, where I have several meetings in my agenda, including with the Mayors of some big towns of Belgium, with the acting Prime Minister of Belgium and some high rank officials of the European Commission".<ref name="YouTube_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=UtLLrvlUqMw| title=DECLARATIA LUI IGOR DODON FACUTA IN CADRUL VIZITEI SALE LA BRUXELLES| newspaper=YouTube| date=20 May 2011| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>
 
Inside the PCRM, an internal fight had existed between Igor Dodon and [[Mark Tkaciuk]]. Dodon has had some separate opinion on some policy issues. This independence had raised some fears from the Tkaciuk side, and Dodon was considered a social threat. Dodon has shown that he had an internal support, from some rayon committees of the party. An independent position of Igor Dodon, his rating within the party and in the society, his political ambitions in overtaking the power, first of the Mayor Office and then, in PCRM – all this were interpreted by Tkaciuk as a threat, the fact that made him to speed up and force the actions that led to marginalization of Dodon in PCRM, by misinforming methods in order to prevent him to be delegated at the position of the Mayor of the Capital.<ref name="Timpul - Ştiri din Moldova_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=https://www.timpul.md/articol/tkaciuk-il-saboteaza-pe-dodon--23321.html| title=Tkaciuk îl sabotează pe DODON ?| newspaper=Timpul – Ştiri din Moldova| date=14 May 2011| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="Ziaruldevrancea.ro_2019-07-08">{{Citation | url=https://www.ziaruldevrancea.ro/actualitatea/ultimele-stiri/64937-internationalcine-este-igor-dodon-posibilul-nou-primar-al-chisinului.html| title=INTERNATIONAL:Cine este Igor Dodon, posibilul nou primar al Chisinăului| newspaper=Ziaruldevrancea.ro| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>
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In November 2011, Dodon left the [[Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova]] (PCRM) citing hopes that a deal could be worked out with the ruling [[Alliance for European Integration]] to elect a president and end a [[constitutional crisis]] that had dragged on since the resignation of [[Vladimir Voronin]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interfax.ru/politics/txt.asp?id=215340|title=Трое на выход|date=4 November 2011|website=Interfax.ru|access-date=13 November 2016}}</ref> Greceanîi and Veronica Abramciuc left at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE7A31SL20111104?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230215/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE7A31SL20111104?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 March 2016|title=Party defections could let Moldova name president – World |publisher=Reuters|access-date=13 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://unimedia.md/?mod=news&id=40799 |title=(video) Dodon, Greceanîi și Abramciuc părăsesc fracțiunea PCRM și sunt gata să voteze președintele țării |website=Unimedia.md |access-date=13 November 2016}}</ref> "Our decision has a common and complex goal: to avoid early elections, the elections of the president of the country, reshaping of the government and political and social stability. This is the society wish, and this is what the Republic of Moldova is needed – a stability and the economic development once and for all... We left the PCRM in order to cut the 'Gordian knot' of the hate and distrust which for the last two years made impossible any constitutional decision needed for the Republic of Moldova stability" Igor Dodon has declared.<ref name="adev2011-11-04">{{Citation | url=https://adevarul.ro/moldova/dodon-zinaida-greceanii-pleaca-pcrm-1_50acfb667c42d5a6638d0fa1/index.html| title=Dodon și Zinaida Greceanîi pleacă din PCRM| newspaper=Adevărul| date= 4 November 2011| access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>
 
On 18 December 2011, Dodon joined the [[Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova]] (PSRM) and, at the Xth Congress of PSRM, he was elected chairman of the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.mail.ru/inworld/moldova/politics/7409382/?frommail=1|title=Игорь Додон стал членом Партии социалистов|website=News.mail.ru|access-date=13 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714203400/http://news.mail.ru/inworld/moldova/politics/7409382/?frommail=1|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ru.publika.md/link_367161.html|title=(UPDATE) Игорь Додон избран председателем Партии социалистов|website=Ru.publika.md|date=18 December 2011|access-date=13 November 2016|archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005091406/https://ru.publika.md/link_367161.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
On 16 March 2012, three former communists (Dodon, Greceanîi and Abramciuc) voted for the [[Alliance for European Integration]] (AIE) candidate [[Nicolae Timofti]] as [[president of Moldova]]. Later, Dodon stated that he regretted his vote for Timofti.<ref>[http://www.timpul.md/articol/62-de-deputati-l-au-votat-pe-n--timofti--urmeaza-decizia-de-validare-a-curtii-constitutionale-32304.html 62 de deputați l-au votat pe N. Timofti. Urmează decizia de VALIDARE a Curții Constituționale]. TIMPUL. 16 martie 2012</ref><ref>[http://unimedia.info/stiri/video-dodon-regreta-ca-l-a-votat-pe-timofti-in-calitate-de-presedinte-58691.html Dodon regretă că l-a votat pe Timofti în calitate de președinte]. UNIMEDIA.info. 22 martie 2013</ref>
 
After he was elected as the president of Moldova, due to specifics of [[Moldovan law]], Dodon resigned as PSRM chairman and left the party, being replaced by [[Zinaida Greceanîi]] as interim leader.<ref>[http://unimedia.info/stiri/video-decis-igor-dodon-nu-mai-este-presedinte-al-psrm--zinaida-greceanii-va-detine-interimatul-123522.html Decis! Igor Dodon nu mai este președinte al PSRM. Zinaida Greceanîi va deține interimatul], unimedia.info</ref>
 
== Presidency ==
 
{{see also|2016 Moldovan presidential election|2019 Moldovan constitutional crisis}}
Dodon was sworn in on 23 December 2016 in the [[Palace of the Republic, Chișinău|Palace of the Republic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rabkor.ru/events/2016/11/17/moldova-elections/|title=Молдова: выиграл Додон, победил Плахотнюк – Рабкор.ру|date=17 November 2016|website=Rabkor.ru|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> Three days later, the [[flag of Europe]] that had flown next to the Moldovan flag from the building of the Moldovan presidential administration was removed. On 4 January 2017, in the Dodon met with the president of the breakaway republic of [[Transnistria]] [[Vadim Krasnoselsky]]. This meeting was the first meeting of the leaders of Moldova and Transnistria in 8 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.1tv.ru/news/2017-01-04/317311-vpervye_za_vosem_let_sostoyalas_vstrecha_liderov_moldavii_i_pridnestrovya|title=Впервые за восемь лет состоялась встреча лидеров Молдавии и Приднестровья. Новости. Первый канал|website=1tv.ru|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> In October 2017, Dodon signed a law that provides for the reform of the [[Academy of Sciences of Moldova]].<ref>[http://moldova-today.com/akademiya-nauk-moldovy-budet-reformirovana/ Академия наук Молдовы будет реформирована]</ref>
 
After being elected president, in an interview with ''[[Deutsche Welle]]'', Dodon said:<ref name="dw">{{cite web|url=http://dw.com/p/2TONL|title=Игорь Додон: В геополитических баталиях Молдавия не должна быть ни на стороне России, ни на стороне Запада|last=Семенова|first=Юлия.|date=29 November 2016|work=dw.com|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref><ref>[https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2212037.html Додон сбрасывает «пророссийскую» шкуру: Россия должна уйти из Приднестровья]</ref>
Line 155 ⟶ 122:
 
[[File:Vladimir Putin and Igor Dodon (2018-07-04) 02.jpg|thumb|Igor Dodon and [[Vladimir Putin]], 2018]]
On 5 May 2018, Dodon announced a campaign, which would bring legislation into parliament, which would transition Moldova from a [[parliamentary republic]] to a [[Presidential system|presidential republic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tass.com/world/1002972|title=Transition to presidential republic to be initiated in Moldova soon |access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref> According to polls carried out in 2019 on the topic of respect for politicians of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon enjoyed the highest trust, ranking first among politicians in which Moldovans.<ref name="noi.md_2019-02-13">{{Citation | url=https://noi.md/md/politica/top-trei-politicieni-in-care-moldovenii-au-cea-mai-mare-incredere-sondaj| title=Top trei politicieni în care moldovenii au cea mai mare încredere – sondaj| newspaper=noi.md| access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="UNIMEDIA_2019-02-13">{{Citation | url=https://unimedia.info/ro/news/d8648c3c2edd695a/sondaj-bop-cei-mai-apreciati-politicieni-din-republica-moldova.html| title=Sondaj BOP: Cei mai apreciați politicieni din Republica Moldova| newspaper=UNIMEDIA| date=7 February 2019| access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="stiri.md_2019-02-13">{{Citation | url=https://stiri.md/article/politica/sondaj-cine-sunt-politicienii-in-care-moldovenii-au-cea-mai-mare-incredere| title=Sondaj: Cine sunt politicienii în care moldovenii au cea mai mare încredere| newspaper=stiri.md| access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="TVR MOLDOVA_2019-02-13">{{Citation | url=http://tvrmoldova.md/alegeri-parlamentare/sondaj-igor-dodon-si-pavel-filip-se-bucura-de-cea-mai-mare-incredere-din-partea-populatiei/| title=SONDAJ: Igor Dodon şi Pavel Filip se bucură de cea mai mare încredere din partea populaţiei| newspaper=TVR MOLDOVA| access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="Ziarulnational.md/sondaj-cate-mandate-de-deputat-ar-obtine-psrm-acum-si-pd-in-cricumscriptia-nationala-partidul-sor-la-limita/_2019-02-13">{{Citation | url=https://www.ziarulnational.md/sondaj-cate-mandate-de-deputat-ar-obtine-psrm-acum-si-pd-in-cricumscriptia-nationala-partidul-sor-la-limita/| title=SONDAJ // Câte mandate de deputat ar obține PSRM, "ACUM" și PD în cricumscripția națională: Partidul Șor, la limită. Cei mai mulți respondenți optează pentru vectorul "Pro Moldova"| newspaper=Ziarulnational.md/sondaj-cate-mandate-de-deputat-ar-obtine-psrm-acum-si-pd-in-cricumscriptia-nationala-partidul-sor-la-limita/| access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="protv.md_2019-02-13">{{Citation | url=http://protv.md/stiri/actualitate/partidele-care-ar-ajunge-in-legislativ-daca-duminica-viitoare---2466841.html| title=Partidele care ar ajunge in legislativ daca duminica viitoare ar avea loc alegeri parlamentare. Top trei politicieni care se bucura de cea mai mare incredere. Sondaj iData| newspaper=protv.md| access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref> In the early years of his presidency, steps were taken to renovate the [[Presidential Palace, Chișinău|Presidential Palace]] in [[Condrița]] with the help of the [[Turkish government]]. Some of the renovations included a play ground for Dodon's young children and a wine cellar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2017/07/27/moldova-president-gives-tour-of-summer-residence-07-27-2017/|title = Moldova President Gives Tour of Summer Residence|date = 27 July 2017}}</ref> The renovated palace was opened on 17 October 2018 by Dodon and Turkish president [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]].<ref name="balkaninsight.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/erdogan-will-visit-moldova-after-turkish-professors-recent-expulsion-09-25-2018|title = Erdogan to Visit Moldova after Turkish Professors Expelled|date = 25 September 2018}}</ref>
 
On 16 October 2018, Dodon declared that his country would be prepared to host a Pan-Orthodox Council, where the situation with the [[Moscow–Constantinople schism (2018)|Ukraine autocephaly and the Moscow–Constantinople schism]] should be discussed. He also said that "Moldova will remain a canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://tass.com/society/1026160|title=Moldova's president says his country is ready to host Pan-Orthodox Council|work=TASS|access-date=28 October 2018 |language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://orthochristian.com/116583.html|title=President Dodon proposes holding pan-Orthodox Council in Moldova |work=OrthoChristian.Com |access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ria.ru/religion/20181016/1530769292.html|script-title=ru:Додон предложил провести Всеправославный собор на территории Молдавии |date=16 October 2018|work=РИА Новости|access-date=15 November 2018|language=ru}}</ref> He strongly opposed the pro-Romanian [[Metropolis of Bessarabia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zdg.md/editia-print/stiri-vechi/dodon-reia-lupta-impotriva-mitropoliei-basarabiei/comment-page-1/#comments | title=Dodon reia lupta împotriva Mitropoliei Basarabiei | date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> In early 2019, President Dodon ordered a National Coordination Committee to plan national events and celebrations dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Moldova in the [[Second Jassy–Kishinev Offensive]]. The events would include the restoration or reconstruction of monuments and military graves and the filming of a documentary on the offensive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://a-tv.md/md/index.php?newsid=52934|title = Index of /Md|access-date=3 February 2019|archive-date=22 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122162335/http://a-tv.md/md/index.php?newsid=52934|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the same time, Dodon presided over the celebrations of the 660th anniversary of Moldovan statehood in early February.
 
During the [[2019 Moldovan constitutional crisis]], Dodon was temporarily relieved of the powers and duties of the presidency by a Moldovan court because of the reluctance to dissolve the parliament as mandated by the [[Constitutional Court of Moldova]] in a previous ruling and replaced by the former prime minister [[Pavel Filip]] as the acting president of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-moldova-politics/moldova-court-relieves-dodon-of-duty-as-president-idUSKCN1TA06Q?il=0|title=Pro-Russian Candidate Leads Moldova Presidential Vote but Faces Runoff|first= Matthias|last=Williams|date=9 June 2019|access-date=9 June 2019|website=Reuters}}</ref>
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On 24 September 2018, he was again suspended from his duties for not approving the candidate for Minister of Health.<ref name="independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/moldova-pro-russia-president-igor-dodon-stripped-duties-powers-a8552856.html?amp|title=Moldova strips country's pro-Russia president of his powers|website=The Independent|date=24 September 2018|access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="DW.COM_2019-08-27">{{Citation | url=https://www.dw.com/ro/igor-dodon-deconectat-a-patra-oar%C4%83-din-func%C8%9Bia-de-pre%C8%99edinte/a-45616376| title=Igor Dodon, deconectat a patra oară din funcția de președinte | newspaper=DW.COM| access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref>
 
On 9 June 2019, the [[Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova]] decided to temporarily suspend Igor Dodon as president, and Prime Minister [[Pavel Filip]] was appointed the interim president, who signed the decree on the dissolving parliament and holding early elections on 6 September the 6th.<ref name="Ziare.com_2020-04-25">{{Citation | url=http://www.ziare.com/europa/moldova/r-moldova-curtea-constitutionala-l-a-suspendat-pe-dodon-pavel-filip-a-fost-numit-presedinte-interimar-si-este-obligat-sa-dizolve-parlamentul-1564804| title=R. Moldova: Curtea Constitutionala l-a suspendat pe Dodon. Pavel Filip, numit presedinte interimar, a dizolvat parlamentul si a convocat alegeri anticipate| newspaper=Ziare.com| access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref> The document was cancelled on 11 June 2019 on the ground that it did not comply with the constitutional standards.<ref name="UNIMEDIA_2020-04-25">{{Citation | url=https://unimedia.info/ro/news/8ae1d6de24a17b6b/igor-dodon-a-anulat-decretul-semnat-de-pavel-filip-cu-privire-la-dizolvarea-legislativului-si-organizarea-alegerilor-parlamentare-anticipate.html| title=Igor Dodon a anulat decretul semnat de Pavel Filip cu privire la dizolvarea Legislativului și organizarea alegerilor parlamentare anticipate| newspaper=UNIMEDIA| date=11 June 2019| access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref>
 
===Foreign policy===
 
{{see also|Moldova–European Union relations|Moldova–Russia relations|Moldova–NATO relations|Moldova–United States relations|Moldova–Ukraine relations|Moldova–Romania relations}}
 
====Surrounding countries====
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In January 2017, Dodon stated that Moldova would not officially [[2014 Russian annexation of Crimea|recognize Crimea as Russian]], stressing that "we need to build [[Moldova–Ukraine relations|friendships with Ukraine]], we need to solve the [[Transnistria conflict|Transnistrian problem]]."<ref>{{in lang|uk}} [http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7132696 In Moldova, now no one will go to Russian recognition of Crimea – Dodon], ''[[Ukrayinska Pravda]]'' (17 January 2017)</ref> In September of that year, [[Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova]] [[Ivan Hnatyshyn]] stated that he does not expect a visit to (Ukrainian capital) [[Kyiv]] by Dodon because he "doesn't respect the territorial integrity of my country".<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.unian.info/politics/amp-2158414-ukrainian-envoy-to-moldova-tells-why-president-dodons-visit-not-expected-in-kyiv.html| title = Ukrainian Envoy to Moldova tells why President Dodon's visit not expected in Kyiv {{!}} UNIAN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uawire.org/ukrainian-ambassador-to-moldova-president-dodon-is-not-welcome-to-visit-ukraine-due-to-his-anti-ukrainian-position|title = UAWire – Ukrainian Ambassador to Moldova: President Dodon is not welcome to visit Ukraine due to his anti-Ukrainian position}}</ref> During a meeting with Bulgarian President [[Rumen Radev]], Dodon reiterated that the [[Gagauzia|Gagauz]] city of [[Taraclia]], which is inhabited by ethnic Bulgarians, will not be affected his government's planned territorial administrative reform.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=200359 |title=Igor Dodon Reassured President Radev that the Status of Taraclia District Won't Be Affected by the Territorial-Administrative Reform – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency |publisher=M.novinite.com |date=24 September 2019 |accessdate=21 March 2022}}</ref>
 
Throughout his presidency, Dodon never undertook an official visit to the Romanian capital of [[Bucharest]]. In March, he announced his belief that Romanians who support the [[Unification of RomaniaMoldova and MoldovaRomania]] as the country's "number one enemy", going further in an interview with [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|Radio Free Europe]] by saying that the Bucharest government supports any attempt at unionism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://moldova.europalibera.org/a/valentina-ursu-in-dialog-cu-igor-dodon-partea-a-treia/29109939.html|title=Igor Dodon: "Există riscul major ca dușmanul numărul unu al R. Moldova, al moldovenilor, să fie românii!" (III)|newspaper=Radio Europa Liberă |date=20 March 2018 |last1=Ursu |first1=Valentina }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.romania-insider.com/igor-dodon-romanians-enemy-unionist-movement| title = Moldovan president: Romanians supporting unionist movement may become Moldova's enemies {{!}} Romania Insider| date = 20 March 2018}}</ref> During a meeting with President [[Klaus Iohannis]] in [[New York City]], Dodon told his Romanian counterpart that the development of Romanian relations was a "key priority" for his government.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/romanian-leader-calls-on-dodon-to-prevent-fed-722039.html| title = Romanian Leader Calls On Dodon To Prevent Federal Solution To Moldovas Transnistria Issue – UrduPoint}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://balkaninsight.com/2019/09/26/romania-opposes-federal-solution-to-moldovas-transnistria-problem/| title = Romania Opposes Federal Solution to Moldova's Transnistria Problem {{!}} Balkan Insight| date = 26 September 2019}}</ref>
 
====Russia====
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====On neutrality====
{{Main|Moldovan neutrality}}
 
On 3 October 2017, Dodon became the first Moldovan leader to ever hold a working meeting with commanders of units in the National Army.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://president.md/eng/presa/presedintele-tarii-a-convocat-o-sedinta-de-lucru-cu-corpul-de-comanda-al-armatei-nationale|title=Igor Dodon will initiate return of the social package for servicemen|date=3 October 2017 }}</ref> During this meeting, he laid out his vision for the armed forces, according to his foreign policy doctrine he instituted the previous month. The doctrine he outlined had called for a complete ban of the participation of servicement from the [[Moldovan National Army]] in overseas exercises without his consent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://president.md/eng/presa/comandantul-suprem-al-fortelor-armate-ale-republicii-moldova-a-interzis-participarea-militarilor-fortelor-armate-ale-tarii-la-exercitii-si-oricare-alt-tip-de-activitate-desfasurata-peste-hotarele-tarii-fara-acordul-sau|title = The Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Republic of Moldova has banned the participation of the Armed Forces of the country in exercises and any other type of activity deployed abroad without his consent| date=8 September 2017 }}</ref>
 
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|[[Gjorge Ivanov]]
| 16–18 July 2018
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2018/07/16/432444/ipn-igor-dodon-to-meet-with-gjorge-ivanov-in-chisinau.html|title = Информационна Агенция "Фокус"|access-date=24 September 2019|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924204139/http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2018/07/16/432444/ipn-igor-dodon-to-meet-with-gjorge-ivanov-in-chisinau.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|{{Flag|Turkey}}
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After the first round, he criticized the [[Moldovan diaspora]] as being out of touch with the Moldovan mainland when the polls showed their preference for [[Maia Sandu]], referring to them as "in a real way, a parallel electorate for Moldova.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 November 2020|title=Moldovan President Slams Diaspora for Voting for Rival|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/11/03/moldovan-president-slams-diaspora-for-voting-for-rival/|access-date=20 November 2020|website=Balkan Insight|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
On 3 November, during the second round of the elections, while Dodon was talking about his opponent Sandu, he modified a proverb and said {{lang|ro|nu schimbați porumbelul din mână pe coțofana de pe gard}} (do not change the [[pigeon]] on your hand by the [[Eurasian magpie|magpie]] on the fence), referring to himself as the "pigeon". This resulted in an outbreak of [[memes]] on social media in Moldova.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.g4media.ro/dodon-atac-la-maia-sandu-nu-schimbati-porumbelul-din-mana-pe-cotofana-de-pe-gard-val-de-ironii-pe-internet-in-modova-meme-uri-cu-putin-si-porumbei.html|title=Dodon, atac la Maia Sandu: Nu schimbaţi porumbelul din mână pe coţofana de pe gard / Val de ironii pe internet în Modova, meme-uri cu Putin și porumbei|newspaper=G4Media.ro|date=3 November 2020|language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsmaker.md/rus/novosti/porumbel-dodon-i-soroka-na-zabore-kak-igor-dodon-v-kampaniyu-vstupil-video/|title="Порумбел" Додон и "сорока на заборе". Как Игорь Додон в кампанию вступил (ВИДЕО)|first=Darya|last=Slobodchikova|newspaper=NewsMaker|date=3 November 2020|language=ru}}</ref> This has also been used as an insult by citizens opposing Dodon,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://protv.md/politic/febra-campaniei-electorale-se-incheie-astazi-iar-duminica-cetatenii-sunt-asteptati-la-urne-ca-sa-si-aleaga-presedintele-in-satele-de-bastina-ale-celor-doi-candidati-se-fac-deja-pronosticuri-video---2546819.html|title=Febra campaniei electorale se incheie astazi, iar duminica cetatenii sunt asteptati la urne ca sa-si aleaga presedintele. In satele de bastina ale celor doi candidati se fac deja pronosticuri – VIDEO|newspaper=ProTV Chișinău|date=14 November 2020|language=ro}}</ref> including members of the [[Moldovan diaspora|diaspora]], who were attacked by him earlier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.zdg.md/stiri/stiri-sociale/video-moldoveni-din-diaspora-condamna-declaratiile-lui-igor-dodon-am-plans-amar-caci-am-ajuns-sa-fiu-acuzata-ca-sunt-in-strainatate-ne-vedem-pe-15-noiembrie-iar-adusi-o/|title=VIDEO/ Moldoveni din diasporă condamnă declarațiile lui Igor Dodon: "Am plâns amar căci am ajuns să fiu acuzată că sunt în străinătate", "Ne vedem pe 15 noiembrie, iar, aduși organizat de voința de a scăpa de porumbel"|first=Cristina|last=Dulea|newspaper=[[Ziarul de Gardă]]|date=5 November 2020|language=ro}}</ref><ref name="porumbel">{{cite news|url=https://tv8.md/2020/11/04/video-dodon-instiga-la-ura-avocatul-poporului-mesajele-transmise-de-igor-dodon-sunt-ofensatoare-si-instigatoare-la-ura/|title=/VIDEO/ Dodon instigă la ură? Avocatul Poporului: "Mesajele transmise de Igor Dodon sunt ofensatoare și instigatoare la ură"|newspaper=[[TV8 (Moldova)|TV8]]|date=4 November 2020|language=ro}}</ref> Sandu responded to this by declaring that "an injured pigeon came out to the press and began to chant songs of mourning"<ref name="porumbel" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://protv.md/politic/un-porumbel-ranit-canta-cantece-de-jale-ce-spune-maia-sandu-despre-acuzatiile-aduse-de-igor-dodon-video---2545723.html|title="Un porumbel ranit canta cantece de jale". Ce spune Maia Sandu, despre acuzatiile aduse de Igor Dodon – VIDEO|newspaper=ProTV Chișinău|date=4 November 2020|language=ro}}</ref> and later uploaded a video to her [[TikTok]] account feeding pigeons, saying that "they are not at fault".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cotidianul.md/2020/11/14/no-comment-maia-sandu-hraneste-porumbeii-n-au-nicio-vina/|title=(NO COMMENT) Maia Sandu hrănește porumbeii: "N-au nicio vină"|newspaper=Cotidianul.md|date=14 November 2020|language=ro|access-date=16 November 2020|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925024705/https://cotidianul.md/2020/11/14/no-comment-maia-sandu-hraneste-porumbeii-n-au-nicio-vina/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
The day after the elections, Dodon met with the parliamentary faction of the PSRM, thanking them for their support in campaign. During the meeting, the Socialist deputies proposed the idea of Dodon to returning to the helm of the PSRM.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://president.md/rom/presa/presedintele-republicii-moldova-s-a-intlnit-cu-fractiunea-parlamentara-a-psrm|title = Președintele Republicii Moldova s-a întâlnit cu fracțiunea parlamentară a PSRM| date=16 November 2020 }}</ref>
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===Election season===
 
In May, he, alongside former President [[Vladimir Voronin]], formed an electoral alliance known as the [[Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists]], which willto contest in the [[2021 Moldovan parliamentary election]]. The announcement came as a surprise as Dodon and Voronin have accused each other of treason and political corruption.<ref>{{cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Moscova i-a unit pe Dodon și Voronin – doi lideri eșuați, care se urăsc și se tem de electorat {{!}} DW {{!}} 13 May 2021|url=https://www.dw.com/ro/moscova-i-a-unit-pe-dodon-%C8%99i-voronin-doi-lideri-e%C8%99ua%C8%9Bi-care-se-ur%C4%83sc-%C8%99i-se-tem-de-electorat/a-57519574|access-date=21 May 2021|website=DW.COM|language=ro-RO}}</ref>
 
== Controversies ==
{{Criticism section|date=October 2024}}
 
=== Flag change proposals ===
 
In 2010, the Party of Communists (PCRM) started promoting a new official flag for Moldova.<ref name="politik">[http://www.politik.md/articles/politic/steagul-lui-stefan-ce-mare-o-noua-inventie-propagandistica-promovata-de-pcrm/4642/ „Steagul lui Ştefan ce Mare”, o nouă invenţie propagandistică promovată de PCRM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802163938/http://www.politik.md/articles/politic/steagul-lui-stefan-ce-mare-o-noua-inventie-propagandistica-promovata-de-pcrm/4642/ |date=2 August 2017 }} {{in lang|ro}}</ref> In March 2012, Igor Dodon and the Party of Socialists (PSRM) invited PCRM to initiate a referendum to change the national [[flag of Moldova]] from the original [[tricolour (flag)|tricolour]] (similar to [[Flag of Romania|Romania's]], except charged with [[Coat of Arms of Moldova|Moldova's coat of arms]]) to a red-blue [[bicolour (flag)|bicolor]] flag.<ref>[http://unimedia.info/stiri/video-socialistii-doresc-referendum-pentru-a-schimba-tricolorul-romanesc-si-asteapta-sustinerea-comunistilor-46013.html Socialiștii doresc referendum pentru a schimba „tricolorul românesc” și așteaptă susținerea comuniștilor] {{in lang|ro}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timpul.md/articol/igor-dodon-vrea-referendum-pentru-a-schimba-steagul-tricolor-al-r--moldova-32744.html|title=Igor Dodon vrea REFERENDUM pentru a SCHIMBA steagul tricolor al R. Moldova|work=Timpul – Știri din Moldova|date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> The [[Academy of Sciences of Moldova]] called the flag proposal a "pure political invention".<ref name="politik"/>
 
In November 2012, Dodon posted on his [[Facebook]] profile a photo that shows him wearing clothes printed with a patch of the [[Flag of Russia|Russian flag]], which was criticized as a sign of Dodon's alleged [[Russophilia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnews.md/articles/view.hot?id=17495|title=HotNews.md / Istorii din MD / FOTO – Igor Dodon în ipostaze ȘOCANTE|work=hotnews.md|access-date=20 November 2016|archive-date=2 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204344/http://www.hotnews.md/articles/view.hot?id=17495|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
=== Position related to the annexation of Crimea by Russian Federation ===
Line 287 ⟶ 254:
=== Negotiation of 8–9 June 2019 ===
 
On 7 June 2019, at the Democratic Party headquarter, according to [[Andrian Candu]], President Igor Dodon negotiated with [[Vladimir Plahotniuc]] the conditions of establishing the coalition between PSRM and DP.<ref name="Ziarul de Gardă_2019-06-08">{{Citation | url=https://www.zdg.md/stiri/stiri-politice/live-reglare-de-conturi-intre-pdm-si-socialisti-igor-dodon-a-discutat-ieri-la-sediul-pdm-cu-plahotniuc| title=LIVE/ Reglare de conturi între PDM și socialiști: Igor Dodon a discutat ieri la sediul PDM cu Plahotniuc| newspaper=Ziarul de Gardă| date= 8 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> Andrian Candu announced only some "criteria for creating the coalition". According to him, the socialists asked for federalization of the Republic of Moldova and providing the special statute to the [[Transnistria (geographical region)|Transnistrian region]], launching the negotiation among Republic of Moldova, European Union and Russian Federation on trade policy, changing the [[Constitution of Moldova|Constitution of the Republic of Moldova]], and the election of the President of the Republic of Moldova by the Parliament.<ref name="Ziarul de Gardă_2019.06.08">{{Citation | url=https://www.zdg.md/stiri/stiri-politice/lista-conditiilor LIVE pe%20LIVE%20pe-care-le-ar-fi-inaintat-dodon-lui-plahotniuc|title=Lista condițiilor pe care le-ar fi înaintat Dodon lui Plahotniuc| newspaper=Ziarul de Gardă|date=8 June 2019|access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="AGORA_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=https://agora.md/stiri/57933/candu-dodon-a-fost-ieri-la-%20LIVE%20-pd-si-a-discutat-cu-plahotniuc| title=Candu: Dodon a fost ieri la sediul PD și a discutat cu Plahotniuc. Ce condiții a pus (DOC)| newspaper=AGORA| access-date=11 June 2019 |author = https://www. Facebook. Com/felicianedzelschi}}</ref>
 
On 8 June 2019, before the Meeting of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the temporary coalition ACUM-PSRM was established,<ref name="adev2019-06-08">{{Citation | url=https://adevarul.ro/moldova/politica/este-zi-decisiva-blocul-inca-spera-formarea-majoritati-asteapta-psrm-negocieri-cc-decis-timpul-expirat-1_5cfad753892c0bb0c61bb6f3/index.html| title="Este o zi decisivă". Blocul ACUM încă speră la formarea unei majorități și așteaptă PSRM și astăzi la negocieri, deși CC a decis că timpul a expirat| newspaper=Adevărul| date= 8 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019 |author = Iurii Botnarenco}}</ref> Dodon has declared that there were some pressure on him to tender the resignation, anticipating the appearance of some compromising videos.<ref name="Privesc.Eu_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=https://www.privesc.eu/arhiva/86480/Declaratiile-lui-Igor-Dodon-inainte-de-Sedinta-Parlamentului-Republicii-Moldova-din-8-iunie-2019| title=Declarațiile lui Igor Dodon înainte de Ședința Parlamentului Republicii Moldova din 8 iunie 2019| newspaper=Privesc.Eu| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="Ziarul de Gardă_2019/06/08">{{Citation | url=https://www.zdg.md/stiri/stiri-politice/dodon-anticipeaza-aparitia-unor-imagini-compromitatoare-la-adresa-sa| title=Dodon anticipează apariția unor imagini compromițătoare la adresa sa| newspaper=Ziarul de Gardă| date= 8 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref>
 
Later, after the statements made by [[Andrian Candu]], deputy head of the DPM, some videos have appeared at the [[Publika TV]], one of the TV posts owned by the democratic party leader, where Igor Dodon has confirmed to [[Vlad Plahotniuc]], that he has received the money from the Russian Federation on a monthly basis for PSRM maintenance,<ref name="Ziarul de Gardă_2019\06\08">{{Citation | url=https://www.zdg.md/stiri/stiri-politice/video-discutia-dintre-plahotniuc-si-dodon-cum-de-fapt-se-duc-negocierile-in-politica| title=VIDEO/ Discuția dintre Plahotniuc și Dodon. Cum, de fapt, se duc negocierile în politică| newspaper=Ziarul de Gardă| date= 11 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="Evenimentul_2019-06-11">{{Citation| url=https://evenimentul.md/video-dodon-in-discutii-private-cu-plahotniuc-explica-care-e-bugetul-psrm-si-de-unde-ia-bani/| title=VIDEO. Dodon în discuții private cu Plahotniuc – explică care e bugetul PSRM și de unde ia bani| newspaper=Evenimentul| access-date=11 June 2019| archive-date=1 July 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701173809/https://evenimentul.md/video-dodon-in-discutii-private-cu-plahotniuc-explica-care-e-bugetul-psrm-si-de-unde-ia-bani/| url-status=dead}}</ref> and also about presentation of federalisation plan of the Republic of Moldova coordinated with Russian Federation.<ref name="Pro TV_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=http://protv.md/actualitate/publika-md-a-publicat-inca-un-video-in-care-igor-dodon-i-ar-dicta-lui-vlad-plahotniuc-planul-de-federalizare-a-tarii-video---2495250.html| title=Publika.md a publicat inca un video in care Igor Dodon i-ar dicta lui Vlad Plahotniuc planul de Federalizare a tarii – VIDEO| newspaper=Pro TV| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="Ziarul de Gardă_2019:06:11">{{Citation | url=https://www.zdg.md/stiri/stiri-politice/video-dodon-si-iaralov-negociau-inlocuirea-termenului-federalizare-in-acordul-ce-urma-a-fi-semnat-intre-pdm-psrm| title=VIDEO/ Dodon și Iaralov negociau înlocuirea termenului "federalizare" în acordul ce urma a fi semnat între PDM-PSRM| newspaper=Ziarul de Gardă| date= 11 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="PUBLIKA.MD - AICI SUNT ȘTIRILE_2019.06.09">{{Citation | url=https://www.publika.md/proba-video-igor-dodon-a-insistat-pe-federalizarea-republicii-moldova-_3044563_video_5138818.html#gallery| title=PROBĂ VIDEO: Igor Dodon a insistat pe federalizarea Republicii Moldova| newspaper=PUBLIKA.MD – AICI SUNT ȘTIRILE| date= 9 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019|author author= Publika. Md| archive-date=6 April 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406194517/https://www.publika.md/proba-video-igor-dodon-a-insistat-pe-federalizarea-republicii-moldova-_3044563_video_5138818.html#gallery| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="HotNews.ro_2019-06-08">{{Citation | url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-international-23193664-video-televiziunea-lui-plahotniuc-publicat-imagini-video-dodon-liderul-psd-care-discuta-despre-federalizarea-republicii-moldova-dodon-propunerile-fost-din-partea-lui-plahotniuc-trimise-rusia-pentru-in.htm| title=VIDEO Televiziunea lui Plahotniuc a publicat imagini video cu Dodon și liderul PD care discută despre federalizarea Republicii Moldova / Dodon: Propunerile au fost din partea lui Plahotniuc și trimise în Rusia pentru a i se închide dosarele – International| newspaper=HotNews.ro| date= 8 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019 |author = N. O.}}</ref><ref name="YouTube_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=5xKFu5Fjpko&feature=youtu.be| title=VIDEO EVIDENCE: Igor Dodon insisted on the federalization of the Republic of Moldova| newspaper=YouTube| date=9 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> The President Igor Dodon had recognized that the negotiations took place to establishing the majority, the discussion at which had included the participation of the businessman [[Serghei Iaralov]].<ref name="Tv8.md/2019/06/08/igor-dodon-primele-comentarii-la-inregistrarile-video-de-la-negocierile-de-ieri-cu-plahotniuc-de-la-sediul-pd-ului/_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=http://tv8.md/2019/06/08/igor-dodon-primele-comentarii-la-inregistrarile-video-de-la-negocierile-de-ieri-cu-plahotniuc-de-la-sediul-pd-ului/| title=Igor Dodon, primele comentarii la înregistrările video de la negocierile de ieri cu Plahotniuc, de la sediul PD-ului| newspaper=Tv8.md/2019/06/08/igor-dodon-primele-comentarii-la-inregistrarile-video-de-la-negocierile-de-ieri-cu-plahotniuc-de-la-sediul-pd-ului/| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> Regarding the videos that have appeared in public space he has declared that "All these, and some of them are ripped out of context or were montages."<ref name="Ziarulnational.md/dodon-despre-inregistrarile-cu-bani-de-la-putin-si-federalizare-discutii-au-avut-loc-evident-ca-au-avut-loc/_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=https://www.ziarulnational.md/dodon-despre-inregistrarile-cu-bani-de-la-putin-si-federalizare-discutii-au-avut-loc-evident-ca-au-avut-loc/| title=Dodon, despre înregistrările cu bani de la Putin și federalizare: "Discuții au avut loc, evident că au avut loc"| newspaper=Ziarulnational.md/dodon-despre-inregistrarile-cu-bani-de-la-putin-si-federalizare-discutii-au-avut-loc-evident-ca-au-avut-loc/| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="Ziare.com_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=http://www.ziare.com/europa/moldova/dodon-acuza-o-inscenare-ce-tine-de-federalizarea-r-moldova-este-propunerea-lui-plahotniuc-catre-rusi-1564833| title=Dodon acuza o inscenare: Ce tine de federalizarea R. Moldova este propunerea lui Plahotniuc catre rusi| newspaper=Ziare.com| date= 11 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref> Vladimir Plahotniuc has confirmed the fact that negotiated with Igor Dodon within 3 months period: "The coalition DP+PSRM was almost made, but failed, because I refused to sign for the country federalization".<ref name="Tv8.md/2019/06/08/vlad-plahotniuc-timp-de-trei-luni-am-avut-multe-discutii-cu-igor-dodon -coalitia-pd-psrm-era-aproape-facuta/_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=http://tv8.md/2019/06/08/vlad-plahotniuc-timp-de-trei-luni-am-avut-multe-discutii-cu-igor-dodon-coalitia-pd-psrm-era-aproape-facuta/| title=/VIDEO/ Vlad Plahotniuc: Timp de trei luni, am avut multe discuții cu Igor Dodon. Coaliția PD-PSRM era aproape făcută| newspaper=Tv8.md/2019/06/08/vlad-plahotniuc-timp-de-trei-luni-am-avut-multe-discutii-cu-igor-dodon-coalitia-pd-psrm-era-aproape-facuta/| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="UNIMEDIA_2019-06-11">{{Citation | url=https://unimedia.info/ro/news/9ca298d9f27e58cd/video-plahotniuc-ceea-ce-a-facut-astazi-igor-dodon-psrm-si-acum-o-evidenta-lovitura-de-stat.html| title=(video) Plahotniuc: "Ceea ce a făcut astăzi Igor Dodon, PSRM și ACUM – o evidentă lovitură de stat"| newspaper=UNIMEDIA| date=8 June 2019| access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref>
 
=== Accusations and denunciations against Igor Dodon ===
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In November 2014, the socialist politician of [[Russians in Moldova|Russian ethnicity]] {{ill|Valentin Crîlov|ro}} accused Igor Dodon of being an "instrument of scenarios that would cause 'bloodshed' in Moldova", and labeled the Party of Socialists as "being in the service of another country" such as Russia. He also accused the party of becoming a threat to the "stability, peace and the very existence" of the Republic of Moldova and its extraordinarily large base of financial resources — the origin of which bear "reasonable doubt".<ref name=zdg2014>{{cite web|url=http://www.zdg.md/stiri/a-pus-partidul-socialistilor-accentuez-din-r-moldova-nu-in-relatii-de-parteneriat-ci-in-serviciul-altei-tari|title="A pus "Partidul Socialiștilor", accentuez, "din R. Moldova", nu în relații de parteneriat, ci în serviciul altei țări"|work=Ziarul de Gardă|date=24 November 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ipn.md/ro/politica/65973 Igor Dodon prezintă pericol mare pentru pacea și stabilitatea din Moldova, Valentin Crîlov. Alegeri 2014], ipn.md</ref>
 
On 29 August 2017, the criminal complaint against Igor Dodon was submitted by [[Maia Sandu]] at the [[Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Moldova|General Prosecutor's Office]], by which was requested the criminal liability for Igor Dodon for committing the offense of Treason against the State and for the crime related to Instigation to hate, differentiating and division by national, ethnical, racial and religious criteria.<ref name="BreakingNews.md_2019-08-20">{{Citation| url=https://breakingnews.md/video-pas-a-depus-la-procuratura-generala-un-denunt-penal-impotriva-presedintelui-republicii-moldova-igor-dodon/| title=VIDEO // PAS a depus la Procuratura Generală un denunț penal împotriva președintelui Republicii Moldova, Igor Dodon.| newspaper=BreakingNews.md| access-date=20 August 2019| archive-date=20 August 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820113214/https://breakingnews.md/video-pas-a-depus-la-procuratura-generala-un-denunt-penal-impotriva-presedintelui-republicii-moldova-igor-dodon/| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Infotag.md_august 30, 2017">{{Citation | url=http://www.infotag.md/politics-ro/251469/| title= PAS A DEPUS LA PROCURATURA GENERALĂ UN DENUNŢ ÎMPOTRIVA ACŢIUNILOR PREŞEDINTELUI IGOR DODON| newspaper=Infotag.md| date= 30 August 2017| access-date= 20 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="Unpaspentru.md/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/denunt-procuratura-generala-impotriva-lui-igor-dodon.pdf_2019-08-20">{{Citation | url=https://unpaspentru.md/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Denunt-Procuratura-Generala-impotriva-lui-Igor-Dodon.pdf| title=Denunt impotriva lui Igor Dodon|newspaper=Unpaspentru.md/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/denunt-procuratura-generala-impotriva-lui-igor-dodon.pdf| access-date= 20 August 2019}}</ref>
 
The [[National Unity Party (Moldova)|Party of National Unity]] had filed a criminal complaint at the General Prosecutor's Office against President Igor Dodon. On 8 August 2019, at the press conference with the topic ''"Presentation of the criminal complaint against Igor Dodon. Arguments and facts"'' the criminal complaint was presented by [[Anatol Șalaru]], the executive president of the party, an MP in the first [[Parliament of the Republic of Moldova]] and the deputy-president of the [[Liberal Party (Moldova)|Liberal Party]]. The reason serves the video tape that reflected the discussions held among Igor Dodon and former PD leader [[Vladimir Plahotniuc]], which appeared in the press in June 2019.<ref name="Pro TV_2019-08-20">{{Citation | url=http://protv.md/livepro/partidul-unitatii-nationale-intr-o-conferinta-de-presa-cu-tema-prezentarea-denuntului-penal-contra-lui-igor-dodon-argumente-si-fapte-video---2501363.html| title=Partidul Unitatii Nationale, intr-o conferinta de presa cu tema "Prezentarea denuntului penal contra lui Igor Dodon. Argumente si fapte" – VIDEO| newspaper=Pro TV| access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="UNIMEDIA_2019-08-20">{{Citation | url=https://unimedia.info/ro/news/6c94bf7e560668d6/video-pun-a-depus-la-procuratura-un-denunt-penal-contra-presedintelui-igor-dodon-de-ce-il-acuza.html| title=(video) PUN a depus la Procuratură un denunț penal contra președintelui Igor Dodon. De ce îl acuză| newspaper=UNIMEDIA| date=8 August 2019| access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="Anticoruptie.md/ro/dosare-de-coruptie/denunt-penal-impotriva-lui-igor-dodon-depus-de-partidul-unitatii-nationale_2019-08-20">{{Citation | url=https://anticoruptie.md/ro/dosare-de-coruptie/denunt-penal-impotriva-lui-igor-dodon-depus-de-partidul-unitatii-nationale| title=Denunț penal împotriva lui Igor Dodon, depus de Partidul Unității Naționale| newspaper=Anticoruptie.md/ro/dosare-de-coruptie/denunt-penal-impotriva-lui-igor-dodon-depus-de-partidul-unitatii-nationale| access-date= 20 August 2019}}</ref>
 
In October 2019, [[Octavian Țîcu]] requested to be established the investigation Committee "to investigate the acts of treason committed by Igor Dodon".<ref name="UNIMEDIA_2019-10-15">{{Citation | url=https://unimedia.info/ro/news/7499b83f93bd08a4/video-octavian-ticu-cere-crearea-unei-comisii-de-ancheta-pentru-investigarea-actiunilor-de-tradare-de-patrie-comise-de-igor-dodon.html| title=(video) Octavian Țîcu cere crearea unei Comisii de anchetă "pentru investigarea acțiunilor de trădare de patrie comise de Igor Dodon"| newspaper=UNIMEDIA| date=11 October 2019| access-date=16 October 2019}}</ref> The Bloc "ACUM"s MPs, [[Iurie Reniță]] and Lilian Carp, have joined these initiative.<ref name="Ziarulnational.md/doc-creste-numarul-deputatilor-care-cer-anchetarea-lui-igor-dodon-pentru-tradare-de-patrie/_2019-10-15">{{Citation | url=https://www.ziarulnational.md/doc-creste-numarul-deputatilor-care-cer-anchetarea-lui-igor-dodon-pentru-tradare-de-patrie/| title=DOC // Crește numărul deputaților care cer ANCHETAREA lui Igor Dodon pentru "TRĂDARE de patrie"| newspaper=Ziarulnational.md/doc-creste-numarul-deputatilor-care-cer-anchetarea-lui-igor-dodon-pentru-tradare-de-patrie/| access-date= 16 October 2019}}</ref>
 
The MP [[Iurie Reniță]] at the press conference has accused the socialists of money laundering in the large proportions, requesting the Prosecutor General to hold the involved persons liable.<ref name="UNIMEDIA_2019-11-19">{{Citation | url=https://unimedia.info/ro/news/cd3376de30ea5887/iurie-renita-sustine-o-conferinta-de-presa-cu-tema-despre-schemele-de-spalare-de-bani-proveniti-din-strainatate-care-au-fost-utilizati-in-campaniile-electorale.html| title=(video) Iurie Reniță: "Igor Dodon nu a semnat cererea de rechemare a patru ambasadori, nici după patru luni de la solicitarea Guvernului"| newspaper=UNIMEDIA| date=23 October 2019| access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref> According to the documents, to which the MP has referred, the money have been transferred to Moldova through Exclusive Media Ltd., that belonges to Corneliu Furcutliță, who is the MP from PSRM side. Based on some loan contracts, the billions of [[Moldovan lei]] have been transferred from this company to the party's sponsors. In the document published by Reniță, the reporter officer has mentioned that the money came from offshore have been used in the presidential electoral campaign,<ref name="Deschide.MD_2019-11-19">{{Citation | url=https://deschide.md/ro/stiri/politic/56825/DOC--PA-a-deschis-o-cauz%C4%83-penal%C4%83-pe-finan%C8%9Barea-campaniei-lui-Dodon-din-2016.htm| title=DOC // PA a deschis o cauză penală pe finanțarea campaniei lui Dodon din 2016| newspaper=Deschide.MD| access-date= 20 November 2019}}</ref> that at the end has been won by Igor Dodon, the PSRM leader at that time.<ref name="AGORA_2019-11-19">{{Citation | url=https://agora.md/stiri/63772/afacerea-bahamas-si-finantarea-campaniei-electorale-a-lui-dodon--obiectul-unei-cauze-penale-pe-faptul-spalarii-banilor-doc| title="Afacerea Bahamas" și finanțarea campaniei electorale a lui Dodon, obiectul unei cauze penale pe faptul spălării banilor (DOC)| newspaper=AGORA| date=13 November 2019| access-date= 20 November 2019}}</ref>
 
In March 2020, the MPs [[Iurie Reniță]], [[Octavian Țîcu]] and [[Lilian Carp]] have presented the documents that would confirm the PSRМ's MPs implication. According to the documents at least 30 MPs affiliated to the Socialist Party, have received from Russia, through an off-shore account in the Bahamas some funds, whose main beneficiary is Igor Dodon.<ref name="Ziarulnational.md/doc-actele-care-ar-confirma-implicarea-deputatilor-psrm-in-schema-de-spalare-de-bani-din-bahamas-avandu-l-ca-principal-beneficiar-pe-igor-dodon-dovezile-incontestabile-trebuie-sa-devina-un-test-stoianoglo/_2020-03-21">{{Citation | url=https://www.ziarulnational.md/doc-actele-care-ar-confirma-implicarea-deputatilor-psrm-in-schema-de-spalare-de-bani-din-bahamas-avandu-l-ca-principal-beneficiar-pe-igor-dodon-dovezile-incontestabile-trebuie-sa-devina-un-test-stoianoglo/| title=DOC // Actele care ar confirma implicarea deputaților PSRM în schema de SPĂLARE de bani din Bahamas, avându-l ca principal beneficiar pe Dodon: "Dovezile incontestabile trebuie să devină un test pentru Stoianoglo"| newspaper=Ziarulnational.md/doc-actele-care-ar-confirma-implicarea-deputatilor-psrm-in-schema-de-spalare-de-bani-din-bahamas-avandu-l-ca-principal-beneficiar-pe-igor-dodon-dovezile-incontestabile-trebuie-sa-devina-un-test-stoianoglo/| access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Ziarulnational.md/ultima-ora-video-instituirea-starii-de-urgenta-motiv-pentru-a-clasa-dosarul-privind-finantarea-psrm-din-rusia-via-bahamas-avem-dovezi-clare-avem-dispozitiile-de-plata-in-original/_2020-03-21">{{Citation | url=https://www.ziarulnational.md/ultima-ora-video-instituirea-starii-de-urgenta-motiv-pentru-a-clasa-dosarul-privind-finantarea-psrm-din-rusia-via-bahamas-avem-dovezi-clare-avem-dispozitiile-de-plata-in-original/| title=VIDEO // Instituirea STĂRII DE URGENȚĂ, motiv pentru a clasa dosarul privind finanțarea PSRM din Rusia via Bahamas? "Avem dovezi CLARE, avem dispozițiile de PLATĂ în original"| newspaper=Ziarulnational.md/ultima-ora-video-instituirea-starii-de-urgenta-motiv-pentru-a-clasa-dosarul-privind-finantarea-psrm-din-rusia-via-bahamas-avem-dovezi-clare-avem-dispozitiile-de-plata-in-original/| access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Tv8.md/2020/03/17/dezvaluiri-noi-in-dosarul-bahamas-cine-sunt-socialistii-care-au-beneficiat-de-imprumuturi-fara-dobanda-prin-intermediul-exclusiv-media/_2020-03-21">{{Citation | url=http://tv8.md/2020/03/17/dezvaluiri-noi-in-dosarul-bahamas-cine-sunt-socialistii-care-au-beneficiat-de-imprumuturi-fara-dobanda-prin-intermediul-exclusiv-media/| title=Dezvăluiri noi în dosarul Bahamas! Cine sunt socialiștii care au beneficiat de împrumuturi fără dobândă prin intermediul "Exclusiv Media"| newspaper=Tv8.md/2020/03/17/dezvaluiri-noi-in-dosarul-bahamas-cine-sunt-socialistii-care-au-beneficiat-de-imprumuturi-fara-dobanda-prin-intermediul-exclusiv-media/| access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref> Later, the MP [[Iurie Renița]] has published a document that demonstrated the [[First Lady of the Republic of Moldova]], [[Galina Dodon]] has a right for the banking signature on behalf of the "Exclusiv-Media" LLC. The MP has mentioned that: "one of the sources for illegal financing of the presidential campaign of Igor Dodon held in 2016 was from the Russian Federation through Bahamas, via laundering of about 1,5 million Euros. Further these money were "lend" through the "Exlusiv-Media" LLC to several PSRM."<ref name="https://protv.md/_2020-05-17">{{Citation | url=https://protv.md/actualitate/iurie-renita-a-publicat-un-document-care-ar-demonstra-ca-galina-dodon-are-dreptul-de-semnatura-bancara-din-numele-exclusiv-media-srl-deputatul-a-remis-o-solicitare-procuraturii-foto---2526737.html| title=Iurie Reniță a publicat un document care ar demonstra că Galina Dodon are dreptul la semnătură bancară| access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>
 
In May 2020, the former head of the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office [[Viorel Morari]] declared, during the show ''Cabinetul din Umbră'' on [[Jurnal TV]], that in the bag that [[Ilan Shor]] has shown to the public at the press conference at the beginning of 2019, sending a message to President Igor Dodon, it would have been 1.5 million Euros. According to [[Viorel Morari]], the Dodon family would have accepted the payment of the flights and luxury trips from the money coming from the economic agents managed by [[Ilan Shor]].<ref name="Cotidianul_2020-05-01">{{Citation | url=https://cotidianul.md/2020/05/01/morari-in-geanta-lui-shor-erau-15-milioane-de-euro-pentru-dodon-presedintele-in-2009-trebuia-condamnat/| title=Morari: În geanta lui Shor erau 1,5 milioane de euro pentru Dodon. Președintele în 2009 trebuia condamnat — Cotidianul| newspaper=Cotidianul| date= 1 May 2020| access-date=23 June 2020| archive-date=11 May 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511001521/https://cotidianul.md/2020/05/01/morari-in-geanta-lui-shor-erau-15-milioane-de-euro-pentru-dodon-presedintele-in-2009-trebuia-condamnat/| url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
According to the 4 July 2020 article published by ''The Brussels Times'', several voices in the Republic of Moldova believe that the pro-Russian government crosses all red lines in order to maintain power in Chișinău in the interest of Russia.<ref name="The Brussels Times_2020-07-04">{{Citation | url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/opinion/120049/how-deputies-in-eastern-european-countries-are-stolen-to-strengthen-russias-influence/| title=How deputies in Eastern European countries are stolen to strengthen Russia's influence| newspaper=The Brussels Times| date= 4 July 2020| access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="JurnalTV.md_2020-07-23">{{Citation | url=https://www.jurnal.md/ro/news/65bb6b6227f9c80a/cazul-gatcan-in-presa-internationala-cum-sunt-furati-deputatii-in-europa-de-est-si-cat-de-departe-poate-ajunge-dodon.html| title=Cazul Gațcan, în presa internațională: "Cum sunt furați deputații în Europa de Est și cât de departe poate ajunge Dodon"| newspaper=JurnalTV.md| access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref> The source mentions that "the case of Dr. Gațcan<ref name="YouTube_2020-07-23">{{Citation | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy1Lz1-KhsI| title=Deputatul Ștefan Gațcan a aderat la Pro Moldova| newspaper=YouTube| date=July 2020| access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Ziarul de Gardă_2020-07-02">{{Citation | url=https://www.zdg.md/importante/doc-cine-este-si-ce-avere-declara-stefan-gatcan-cel-mai-mediatizat-deputat-din-ultimele-zile/| title=DOC/ Cine este și ce avere declară Ștefan Gațcan, cel mai mediatizat deputat din ultimele zile| newspaper=Ziarul de Gardă| date= July 2, 2020| access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref> shows how far President Igor Dodon can go, who actually controls power in Chișinău." The source also refers to the increasingly frequent accusations regarding the establishment of the dictatorship in the Republic of Moldova, but also to the efforts of opposition politicians to mobilize their forces to reduce the influence of Igor Dodon and the administrative resources he can benefit from at the election campaign in autumn.<ref name="Timpul - Ştiri din Moldova_2020-07-23">{{Citation | url=https://timpul.md/articol/cazul-gacan-i-abuzurile-nemaiintalnite-ale-guvernarii-in-atenia-presei-de-la-bruxelles-158372.html| title=Cazul Gațcan și abuzurile nemaiîntâlnite ale guvernării, în atenția presei de la Bruxelles| newspaper=Timpul – Ştiri din Moldova| access-date=23 July 2020| archive-date=1 December 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201055746/https://www.timpul.md/articol/cazul-gacan-i-abuzurile-nemaiintalnite-ale-guvernarii-in-atenia-presei-de-la-bruxelles-158372.html| url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
=== Lukashenko election ===
 
Following the [[2020 Belarusian presidential election]], Dodon congratulated President [[Alexander Lukashenko]] on his controversial victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tv8.md/2020/08/10/igor-dodon-l-a-felicitat-pe-alexandr-lukasenko-pentru-victoria-in-alegerile-prezidentiale-mesajul-transmis/|title=Igor Dodon l-a felicitat pe Alexandr Lukașenko pentru victoria în alegerile prezidențiale. Mesajul transmis|newspaper=tv8.md|date=10 August 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|language=ro}}</ref> After this, a group of protesters demonstrated in front of the Belarusian embassy in [[Chișinău]], coming with banners saying "Down with dictatorship!", "Down with censorship!", and "Belarus will be free!". The protesters particularly criticized Dodon for allowing himself to congratulate Lukashenko on behalf of the [[Moldovan people]], in spite of the negative feelings towards the Belarusian leader at the time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jurnal.md/ro/news/7610bb526d8e5962/protest-la-ambasada-republicii-belarus.html|title=Protest la Ambasada Republicii Belarus|newspaper=Jurnal.md|date=11 August 2020|access-date=13 August 2020|language=ro}}</ref>
 
=== Financing and influence of Russia ===
The Russian presidential administration has a so-called "Moldovan department" headed by Igor Maslov, a colonel of the Foreign Intelligence Service. His subordinates prepare references on Moldovan politicians, public figures and non-governmental organizations for the Russian leadership. During his long, political career, Igor Dodon has closely cooperated with former and current Russian intelligence officers working in various government positions in the leadership of the Russian Federation. As RISE Moldova journalists found out, MP and then President Dodon had supervisors from the so-called "Moldovan department" of the Kremlin, with whom he, like some other Moldovan politicians, kept in touch through intermediaries and directly. The Socialist leader often regularly flew to Moscow during important internal political events in Moldova. In 2016 alone, before being elected president of Moldova in December, Igor Dodon visited Moscow at least 10 times. "Kremlinovic"<ref>{{cite web| title=Кремлинович|url=https://www.rise.md/rusa/%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87/}}{{in lang|ru}}</ref> was Dodon's nickname. This was the name of the user account from which Dodon communicated in a secret chat room of the BBM messenger. His interlocutors were people from politics, business, public administration, expert community (NGOs) and the power bloc of Moldova.<ref>{{cite web |title=«Неблагонадежный» политик и офицеры спецслужб|url=https://www.rise.md/rusa/%d0%bd%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%b3%d0%be%d0%bd%d0%b0%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%b6%d0%bd%d1%8b%d0%b9-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%ba-%d0%b8-%d0%be%d1%84%d0%b8%d1%86%d0%b5%d1%80%d1%8b/}}{{in lang|ru}}</ref>
 
Even after leaving the post of the Moldovan president, pro-Kremlin forces helped Dodon to open a public organization in Moldova called "Moldovan-Russian Business Union". And the money for the work of this Union came also from the Russian Federation - at the expense of donations from Russian businessmen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia Plans to Establish Political Control over Moldova by 2030|url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2023/03/15/7158005/}}</ref>
 
In 2021, a new non-governmental organization, the Moldovan-Russian Business Union (MRBU), was created and headed by Igor Dodon. He approved a salary ten times higher than his presidential salary. The founder of this organization on the Russian side is the largest Russian association "Business Russia". In just six months, the union has received $300 thousand from "Business Russia". RISE Moldova journalists together with the "Dossier" Center found six bank payments from Russia to the account of Dodon's organization for almost 5 million lei (about $300 thousand). And almost every tranche is accompanied by anti-Western or pro-Russian statements by the former Moldovan president and his associates. Almost all anti-government rallies demanding the resignation of President Maia Sandu were also carried out under direct orders from the Kremlin and for substantial fees. For example, on October 5, 2021, Dodon, as a member of the Moldovan parliament and chairman of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), called on the head of the European Union mission in Chisinau and other foreign diplomats "not to interfere in the internal affairs of the state". On the same day, the Russian account of Business Russia received a tranche of 2.8 million rubles from Russian citizen Igor Chaika. On the website of the organization, he is presented as a business ambassador of Business Russia in Moldova. In addition, Igor Chaika is the son of former Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika. He is included in the EU sanctions list for destabilizing the situation in Moldova, and Igor Chaika is also banned from entering the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Moldovan president is on Russian payroll, investigation finds|url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/former-moldovan-president-is-on-russian-payroll-investigation-finds-news-50282342.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Moldova Ex-President Dodon 'Was on Moscow's Payroll': Report|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/11/08/moldova-ex-president-dodon-was-on-moscows-payroll-report/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=«Ностальгические шоры». Как российская пропаганда влияет на избирателей в Молдове|date=2 June 2023 |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/kak-rossiyskaya-propaganda-vliyaet-na-izbirateley-v-moldove/32439078.html}}{{in lang|ru}}</ref>
 
RISE reports that since the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] began, neither Dodon nor his partners from Business Russia have publicly spoken out against the Kremlin. Since the invasion began, MRDS has sent two more transactions, in March and April 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=НПО молдавского экс-президента Игоря Додона получает деньги из России от компании, связанной с Игорем Чайкой|url=https://www.occrp.org/ru/daily/16997-rise}}{{in lang|ru}}</ref>
 
On the organization's website, Dodon continues to openly support Putin, insistently urging the Moldovan authorities to engage in dialogue with the Kremlin on trade cooperation and Russian gas prices. And the MRDS newsfeed is filled with accusations of Ukraine's food crisis.
 
In the nongovernmental sector, Dodon has also surrounded himself with people who worked with Russian political technologists, whom the U.S. authorities have placed on a sanctions list for the Kremlin's operations in Moldova and for attempts to interfere in Moldovan elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=Владимир Тхорик: Экс-президент Молдовы открыто перешел на «содержание» околокремлевских бизнесменов|date=7 November 2022 |url=https://www.ipn.md/ru/vladimir-tkhorik-eks-prezident-moldovy-otkryto-pereshel-na-soderzhanie-okolokrem-7978_1093234.html}}{{in lang|ru}}</ref>
 
=== 2022 arrest for corruption and treason ===
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Dodon married [[Galina Dodon]] in 1999 and together they have three children: Bogdan, Vlad, and Nicolae.<ref name="inprofunzime.md">{{cite web|title=Dupa 3 baieti, mai vrea si... fete. Igor Dodon si-a adus baietelul si sotia acasa|url=http://inprofunzime.md/stiri/politic/dupa-3-baieti-mai-vrea-si-fete-igor-dodon-si-a-adus-baietelul---833801.html|publisher=PRO TV|language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ce frumos! Uite ce DECLARATIE de DRAGOSTE i-a facut Igor Dodon sotiei|url=http://www.actualitati.md/md/cultura/ce-frumos-uite-ce-declaratie-de-dragoste-i-facut-igor-dodon-sotiei|publisher=Actualitati.md|language=ro|access-date=13 November 2016|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906223637/http://actualitati.md/md/cultura/ce-frumos-uite-ce-declaratie-de-dragoste-i-facut-igor-dodon-sotiei|url-status=dead}}</ref> His oldest son, Vlad, is a passionate player of water polo.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://ea.md/fiul-presedintelui-tarii-vladislav-dodon-tata-m-a-indrumat-sa-fac-polo-pe-apa/|title = Fiul președintelui țării, Vladislav Dodon: "Tata m-a îndrumat să fac polo pe apă"|date = 27 September 2017|access-date = 20 October 2018|archive-date = 25 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200625053254/http://ea.md/fiul-presedintelui-tarii-vladislav-dodon-tata-m-a-indrumat-sa-fac-polo-pe-apa/|url-status = dead}}</ref> His brother Aleksander is a co-owner alongside Igor Chaika (son of [[Yuri Chaika]], [[Prosecutor General of Russia]]) of the Industrial Ecological Operator company which deals with waste.<ref>https://en.crimerussia.com/oligarchs/brother-of-moldavia-s-president-becomes-igor-chaika-s-partner-at-dumping-business/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120012905/https://en.crimerussia.com/oligarchs/brother-of-moldavia-s-president-becomes-igor-chaika-s-partner-at-dumping-business/ |date=20 November 2019 }} {{Bare URL inline|date=March 2022}}</ref>
 
Aside from his native [[Romanian language|Romanian]] (which he considers [[Moldovan language|Moldovan]]), he also speaks [[Russian language|Russian]], [[French language|French]], and [[English language|English]]. However, he has only used the latter two in public speeches.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/wyNb0O9JkMU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201028222821/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyNb0O9JkMU&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyNb0O9JkMU| title = Discurs | website=[[YouTube]]| date = 29 January 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Biography of President of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon|url=http://www.presedinte.md/eng/biography|website=presedinte.md}}</ref> He is considered to be good friends with Colonel General [[Victor Gaiciuc]], who is currently one of his advisers. Dodon had proposed Gaiciuc for the position of defense minister after rejecting [[Eugen Sturza]]'s candidacy.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 September 2017|title=Victor Gaiciuc, propunerea nepotistă a lui Dodon pentru șefia Ministerului Apărării ~ InfoPrut|url=http://infoprut.ro/48213-victor-gaiciuc-propunerea-nepotista-a-lui-dodon-pentru-sefia-ministerului-apararii.html|access-date=29 September 2018|website=Infoprut.ro}}</ref> He is a supporter of the [[Union of Officers of Moldova]], where he holds the honorary rank of ''[[Major (rank)|Major]] of the Reserve''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://warsawinstitute.org/igor-dodon-surrounds-anti-eu-forces/|title = Igor Dodon Surrounds Himself with Anti-EU Forces|date = 30 December 2018}}</ref>
 
On 9 September 2018, Dodon was involved in a car accident on the [[Chișinău]]-[[Călărași, Moldova|Călărași]] highway.<ref name="2018-09-09">[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-10/truckie-runs-moldovan-president-igor-dodon-off-the-road/10220836 Moldovan President Igor Dodon hurt after being run off road in crash with truck], [[Associated Press]]/ [[ABC News Online]], 10 September 2018</ref> Although Dodon wasn't injured himself, his mother and his middle son Nicolae sustained serious injuries.<ref>{{Cite news|last=ȘTIRILE|first=PUBLIKA.MD – AICI SUNT|date=9 September 2018|title=Președintele Igor Dodon, implicat într-un grav accident de circulație. Imaginile cu MOMENTUL ACCIDENTULUI|language=ro-RO|work=PUBLIKA.MD – AICI SUNT ȘTIRILE|url=https://www.publika.md/coloana-oficiala-a-presedintelui-igor-dodon-implicata-intr-un-grav-accident-de-circulatie-presedintele-transportat-la-spital-_3018221.html|access-date=9 September 2018|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909222217/https://www.publika.md/coloana-oficiala-a-presedintelui-igor-dodon-implicata-intr-un-grav-accident-de-circulatie-presedintele-transportat-la-spital-_3018221.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Додон госпитализирован после ДТП|url=https://gordonua.com/news/worldnews/dodon-gospitalizirovan-posle-dtp-341687.html|access-date=9 September 2018}}</ref>
 
== Awards ==
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[[Category:Members of the parliament of Moldova]]
[[Category:Moldovan communists]]
[[Category:Moldovan Ministers of Economyeconomy of Moldova]]
[[Category:Deputy Primeprime Ministersministers of Moldova]]
[[Category:Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova politicians]]
[[Category:People from Călărași District]]