Moldova’s recent presidential election marked a crucial step towards European integration, with 50.28% of voters supporting the constitutional amendment to enshrine this objective. Despite significant interference attempts alleged by Russia, including vote-buying schemes, the pro-European camp emerged victorious. The election witnessed numerous incidents, raising tensions amid accusations of Moscow’s influence. Maia Sandu, the pro-European president, will face a runoff against pro-Russian candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo on November 3, aiming to solidify Moldova’s European path.
This past Sunday, October 20, Moldova made a significant choice regarding its future. Voters participated in an essential double ballot, not only for the first round of the presidential election but also to weigh in on the proposal of integrating the European objective into the Constitution. In a closely contested race, the ‘yes’ votes ultimately triumphed with 50.28%, a narrow margin bolstered by support from Moldovan citizens living abroad, following the counting of nearly all ballots.
Incidents During Voting Process
This decision poses a pivotal moment for the future of the nation, located between EU-member Romania and the Russian sphere of influence, with the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine casting a shadow over the situation. Moscow, intent on maintaining its grip, has increased its efforts to disrupt democratic processes in Moldova. Over recent months, law enforcement conducted about 350 investigations and detained numerous individuals believed to be attempting to sabotage the elections on Russia’s behalf. To prepare for potential unrest during this highly charged election, all 2,000 polling station supervisors received specialized training to manage suspicious activities.
The election campaign was fraught with tension, marked by serious allegations of vote-buying, described as ‘unprecedented’ by anti-corruption officials. Reports indicated that votes were being sold online for amounts ranging from 50 to 100 euros—considerable sums in a country where the average monthly income is approximately 630 euros. This scheme allegedly targeted as many as 25% of voters. The anti-corruption prosecutor’s office disclosed that Russia may have invested around 15 million euros to influence this crucial election, with oligarch Ilan Shor, currently residing in Moscow, reportedly orchestrating these efforts.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, cautioned that ‘Russia is sparing no effort to subvert Moldova’s electoral processes.’ In response, the Kremlin categorically denied these allegations. Following the ‘yes’ outcome on Monday, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov demanded evidence for what he termed ‘serious accusations’ from Moldova’s pro-European president, Maia Sandu, who pointed to the involvement of ‘criminal groups collaborating with foreign entities hostile to Moldovan interests.’
Peskov further questioned the legitimacy of the surge in support for Sandu and EU membership, suggesting that ‘those familiar with electoral processes can identify anomalies in the rise of these votes.
Ultimately, despite the alleged interference, a slim majority of the 2.7 million voters affirmed their support for the European initiative, seen as a vital defense against Russian influence. Moldova is already on the path toward EU integration, having officially commenced accession talks last June under the leadership of Maia Sandu. Known for her integrity as an economist, Sandu has taken a firm stance towards the EU, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine. Currently, she leads with 36% of the votes and will face a second-round challenge on November 3 against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor endorsed by pro-Russian socialists, who secured 29% of the votes. Although Stoianoglo professes support for European integration, he abstained during the referendum.