Norwegian MP Arild Hermstad, leader of the Green Party, has nominated Moldovan President Maia Sandu for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing her role in defending democracy in Europe, Hermstad announced in a post on his official Facebook page.

Sandu won a second term in October 2024, succeeded in pushing a EU membership public referendum in the same month, and her pro-EU party maintained its majority in parliament in September 2025. This was achieved despite massive propaganda and financial stipends paid by fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, who currently helps the Kremlin to achieve its goals, to influence the electorate in Moldova. Sandu expects the pro-EU government to wrap up the accession negotiations by 2028. 

“Sandu was on the front line of defending democracy in Europe,” Hermstad wrote, highlighting that Moldova has faced repeated attempts by Russia to influence elections, conduct disinformation campaigns, launch cyberattacks and destabilise the country by promoting a pro-Kremlin leadership.

According to Hermstad, Russia uses such hybrid tactics against several former Soviet states.

“Russia is waging a hybrid war against several countries, and, despite the numerous uncertainties around us, there is no doubt that Vladimir Putin represents the greatest threat to peace and stability in Europe. Maia Sandu and the Republic of Moldova are fighting a fight for all of us,” he wrote.

Hermstad emphasised that Sandu has responded to Russian pressure through peaceful means, consolidating the rule of law, safeguarding free elections and maintaining Moldova’s democratic trajectory. He noted that her leadership has clearly distanced the country from Russian influence while bringing it closer to Western democracies.

“This is the peace work of the present: building resilient societies before tensions degenerate into violent conflicts, as well as resisting authoritarian influence through transparency and democratic governance. Democracy is an essential condition for authentic peace. Maia Sandu played a decisive role in stopping Russia’s attempts to undermine democracy in the Republic of Moldova, which is why I believe she deserves the Nobel Peace Prize,” Hermstad concluded.

Moldova has faced heightened political and security pressures in recent years, including attempts to influence internal elections and destabilise governance, amid the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine.