The Moldovan government is grappling with what it describes as “extensive meddling” by Russia during the critical presidential runoff election, according to Stanislav Secrieru, the national security advisor to the sitting president.
“There’s a substantial effort underway that poses a serious risk of skewing the election results,” Secrieru remarked in a post on the social media platform X.
As citizens head to the polls against a backdrop of escalating tensions, the runoff represents a pivotal moment for Moldova’s aspirations to align more closely with Europe amidst heightened concerns about foreign interference.
This election, occurring in a nation adjacent to the war-torn Ukraine, follows closely on the heels of a closely contested referendum—two weeks prior—where just over half of voters expressed support for joining the European Union.
Currently, on this critical election day, we’re witnessing a significant level of Russian intrusion into Moldova’s electoral processes. This interference is alarming, as it holds the potential to tamper with election results. Authorities are monitoring the situation very closely, with updates on various instances of meddling provided in real-time:
— Stanislav Secrieru (@StasSecrieru) November 3, 2024
In the initial round of voting, the pro-European president, Maia Sandu, secured 42.5% of the ballots two weeks ago. Her opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, who has the backing of pro-Russian factions and was dismissed as the prosecutor general by Sandu last year, garnered 26% of the votes.
However, following the first round, Stoianoglo has managed to attract support from other eliminated candidates. Analysts are bracing for a nail-biting showdown reminiscent of last weekend’s elections in Georgia, where the ruling party narrowly clinched victory in a tightly contested parliamentary race.
Accusations have been exchanged regarding Russia’s attempts to sway public opinion in both of these ex-Soviet states, although Russia has categorically denied any involvement.
“We must safeguard the integrity of our democracy,” asserted Sandu, a 52-year-old economist with a strong pro-Western stance, who attributed the slim margin in the recent EU referendum to clear “foreign meddling.” The referendum saw a mere 50.35% voting in favor of EU membership.
Law enforcement has disclosed the discovery of a purported vote-buying operation allegedly orchestrated by Russian agents, potentially influencing a quarter of the electorate.
As voters participated in the second round of the election, polling places opened their doors at 7 AM (Irish time 5 AM) and will remain operational until 9 PM, with preliminary results anticipated roughly an hour post-closing.
Leading up to the election, Sandu’s campaign ramped up efforts via social media and a grassroots approach, conducting door-to-door visits in rural areas to mitigate any potential vote-buying schemes.
“Let us stay vigilant so that it is the genuine votes that shape the outcome of these elections, rather than any that are purchased,” she emphasized in a video message disseminated on Friday.
In a proactive move, police have started disseminating warnings through text messages and via loudspeakers in grocery stores, urging voters to reject any attempts at vote purchasing.
Reportedly, authorities have encountered a troubling “massive phenomenon” where individuals have received unsolicited calls, emails, and even threats designed to manipulate their voting decisions.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean branded such tactics as an “outrageous assault designed to instill fear and create panic,” aiming to dissuade citizens from exercising their right to vote.
Sandu, who represents a population of approximately 2.6 million people, officially pushed for Moldova’s accession to the EU in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine back in 2022, with formal negotiations commencing in June.
Meanwhile, Stoianoglo, aged 57, has expressed a desire for EU membership as well but opted to boycott the referendum, criticizing it as a “sham.” He has proposed a “balanced foreign policy” that would work to restore ties with Moscow severed by Sandu’s administration.
This ambiguous positioning on EU membership could allow Moldova to maintain its European hopes while simultaneously pursuing decisions that could hinder its progress if Stoianoglo prevails, according to various political analysts.
“I aim to be a president for everyone, and I won’t foster divisions among our people,” Stoianoglo remarked on Friday, often oscillating between Romanian and Russian during his public addresses, which are typically scripted.
The political landscape in Moldova remains deeply divided. While urban centers, bolstered by a large diaspora, predominantly favor EU integration, rural communities and the pro-Russian regions of Transnistria and Gagauzia are staunchly opposed to it.
“We rely on Maia Sandu to guide our nation toward the right path; however, remnants of the Soviet past linger here—it’s ingrained,” reflected Acsenia, a 56-year-old retiree.
Conversely, 75-year-old Zinovia Zaharovna opposed EU membership, expressing a desire for Moldova to retain its sovereignty as an independent nation.
“There’s widespread concern about conflict, and many view a candidate inclined towards Moscow as a secure bet against potential invasion,” Andrei Curararu, a political analyst at the Chisinau-based watchdog group WatchDog, indicated.
The international community closely monitors the voting process, particularly for signs of Russian involvement.
For Curararu, the scale of pressure is unrivaled, with estimates suggesting over $100 million has been invested in destabilization activities aimed at Moldova’s electoral framework.
“Moldova is paying a steep price for its resolve to distance itself from Russian influence,” he concluded.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
