Traian Băsescu regained his Moldovan citizenship. Maia Sandu: “From today you are not only our brother, but also our fellow citizen”
The former president Traian Băsescu is again a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, the head of the neighboring state, Maia Sandu, announced on Tuesday.
“I am glad that we managed, in our turn, to correct an injustice done to Mr. Băsescu and we have the honor to grant him the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova,” Sandu said in a message published on Facebook.
The leader from Chisinau thanked Băsescu for the support he gave to his country and indicated that the former president of Romania is respected and “awaited like a brother” in the Republic of Moldova.
“Mr. President Băsescu supported the citizens of the Republic of Moldova with all his might and unconditionally, regardless of the governments. Because Mr. Băsescu knows how much struggle he fought on this earth to preserve our identity, the Romanian language and to break away from the Soviet past in order to move forward – towards a European future”, said Maia Sandu.
She expressed the gratitude of Moldovan citizens to Băsescu because “he contributed to the correction of a historical injustice and facilitated the reacquisition of Romanian citizenship, promoted the granting of scholarships for our young people and offered unceasing support to the Republic of Moldova”.
Mr. Băsescu, from today you are not only our brother, but also our fellow citizen. We are waiting for you at home!
Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova
Traian Băsescu lost his Moldovan citizenship following a decision by former Moldovan president Igor Dodon. The former head of state had announced last year that he would take steps to regain it.
“I could have done it before the elections, I received all the forms, I preferred not to do it so as not to give the impression that it is an electoral act. I will do it after the elections”, said Traian Băsescu, referring to the electoral poll across the Prut in September 2025.
In an interview given in 2018, Dodon argued that Traian Băsescu became a Moldovan citizen by violating the law. Băsescu challenged in court the decree by which his citizenship was revoked, but without success.
The former first lady Maria Băsescu still has dual citizenship.
Traian Băsescu and his wife Maria received the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova in 2016, by the decree of President Nicolae Timofti.
In the same year, he with the Order of “Stefan the Great”, the most important military decoration of the Republic of Moldova, according to Radio Chisinau.
