Moldova holds elections and EU membership referendum
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Moldovan citizens are voting in presidential elections and a referendum on joining the EU. This day could mark a turning point for the country, which aims to accelerate its integration into the EU and reduce Russia’s influence, reports Reuters.
The leading candidate in the election is pro-Western Maia Sandu, who holds a significant lead over her rivals, according to polls. However, if she fails to secure 50% of the vote, a runoff election will take place on November 3. Her likely opponent is Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general backed by the pro-Russian Socialist Party.
A parallel referendum will determine whether the goal of EU membership should be enshrined in the country’s constitution. Sandu is a strong advocate of this initiative, hoping for widespread public support.
She emphasized that every vote matters, regardless of voters’ location. Polls show that a majority of the population supports joining the European Union, but five candidates are calling on voters to oppose the referendum or boycott it, dismissing it as a political ploy.
For the referendum to be valid, at least one-third of registered voters must participate — an outcome complicated by outdated voter lists and high emigration rates.
The election is taking place amid allegations of Russian interference. Police claim that Ilan Shor, a fugitive Moldovan tycoon residing in Russia, attempted to bribe 130,000 voters to oppose EU membership and back a pro-Russian candidate. Shor denies the accusations despite being convicted of fraud in absentia.
Authorities also uncovered a network aimed at inciting civil unrest in Moldova, involving the training of hundreds of individuals in Russia. Despite these incidents, officials are confident that the results will not be significantly distorted by foreign interference.
The referendum and elections unfold against the backdrop of strained relations with Moscow, which deteriorated after Maia Sandu became president in 2020.
Moldova’s election climate
Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gerasimova has accused Russia of conducting a large-scale campaign to destabilize the country’s political situation. According to her, Moscow spent around 100 million euros to disrupt the presidential election and referendum on Moldova’s EU membership.
Russian intelligence services allegedly recruited Moldovan citizens for destructive actions. Moldovan police confirmed these claims, finding evidence of a program that trained and sent hundreds of Moldovans to Russia for special preparation aimed at destabilizing the country’s political landscape.
