Maia Sandu sworn in as new Moldovan president
CHISINAU. Dec 24 (Interfax) - Maia Sandu has been sworn in as the new Moldovan president.
She took the presidential oath at the inauguration ceremony held on Thursday at a joint meeting of the Moldovan parliament and the Constitutional Court.
"I solemnly swear to devote all my personal strength and abilities to the prosperity of the Republic of Moldova, to abide by the Constitution and the laws of the country, to defend democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms, the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Moldova," Sandu said with her hand on the Constitution.
She kissed the state flag and received the chief of state's attributes - a banner and a special collar - from the Constitutional Court chairman.
Sandu addressed ethnic minorities in Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz and Bulgarian in her inaugural speech, an Interfax correspondent reported.
She said she "equally loved and respected all citizens of the country regardless of their ethnicity and religion."
"For me, all citizens are equal. I will be working for all of you, so that you feel safe and can develop, study and speak your native tongue. All of us are being robbed, and I want to restore justice for all citizens of our country," Sandu said in each of those four languages.
Party of Action and Solidarity leader Sandu gained 57.72% of the vote in the November 15 election, and her opponent, incumbent Moldovan President Igor Dodon gained 42.28%.
Dodon refused to attend the next president's inauguration ceremony.
