In justifying the nomination, Herstad stressed that Sandu has been on the front lines of defending democracy in Europe, and “Moldova has been subjected to documented Russian attempts at election interference, disinformation, cyberattacks and destabilization to bring a more pro-Kremlin leadership to power.”
“Sandu has responded to Russia with peaceful means: strengthening the rule of law, defending free elections and steadfastly pursuing a democratic course. Sandu is clearly distancing herself from Russian imperialism and bringing Moldova closer to Western democracies. This is the peacemaking of our time: creating stable societies before conflicts turn violent; opposing authoritarian influence through openness and people’s power,” the deputy explained.
According to the Charter of the Nobel Foundation, only members of national parliaments and governments, heads of state, members of international courts, professors and rectors of universities, heads of peace institutes, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, as well as current and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee have the right to nominate candidates for the prize.
