Traian Basescu, Romania’s former President and the current president of the Popular Movement Party (PMP), said on Thursday that he would sue Moldova’s President Igor Dodon for removing his Moldovan citizenship.

Dodon signed this week the decree that cancels Basescu’s citizenship. He announced the decision on Facebook.

“I am looking for the best lawyer in Moldova. I have six months. The decree takes effect after six months, and I am looking for a lawyer to sue Dodon,” Traian Basescu said, according to local News.ro.

Igor Dodon stated that he decided to cancel Traian Basescu’s Moldovan citizenship because it was granted “illegally,” as Basescu repeatedly urged for the “liquidation of the statehood of the Republic of Moldova by annexation to Romania”.

However, although both Traian Basescu and his wife Maria received the Moldovan citizenship, Dodon only cancelled the former President's citizenship.

Basescu previously announced his intention to sue Igor Dodon if he decided to withdraw his Moldovan citizenship.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com