Moldova is knocking on the door of the European Union, and it is making it known. Tens of thousands of people took part in a rally in support of the pro-Western government on Sunday May 21.
In the Moldavian capital, Chisinau, nearly 80,000 people waved small Moldavian and European flags under the sun on Sunday May 21. 80,000 people may seem modest. But on the scale of a country of only 2.6 million inhabitants, it is enormous. On the stage, the president, Maia Sandu, in an azure blue dress, frail silhouette, but very firm speech. “We must make our children European citizens“, says the former economist, who has led the country since 2020. Because it is only in “joining the European Union“that we can”protect us from Russia” And “save our democracy“.
>> War in Ukraine: four questions on the threat of a pro-Russian coup denounced by Moldova
Former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, is a collateral victim of the war that is playing out on its doorstep: for more than a year, it has been largely destabilized by flows of Ukrainian refugees, inflation, gas cuts and rising energy prices. In this context, Maia Sandu keeps repeating it, her country has become an obvious target for Vladimir Putin. And to bring Chisinau back into its sphere of influence, Moscow is carrying out a “hybrid warfareof instrumentalization, aimed at dividing and radicalizing society.
A coup in preparation?
The threats are real: on February 13, 2023, Maia Sandu publicly announced that a coup was being prepared to overthrow her government and replace it with a pro-Russian regime. She confirmed very precise information from the Ukrainian intelligence services.
In March, an international media consortium even confirmed that Moscow had this intention as early as 2020 even before the start of the war in Ukraine. A ten-year plan with information warfare and entry into play of the separatist region of Transnistria, where 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed.
Before the war in Ukraine, Moldova’s integration into the EU was highly unlikely. But since June 2022, Moldova has – like Ukraine – the official status of a candidate country for integration.
The demonstration on Sunday, May 21, organized by the government, served both to stage the massive support of public opinion and to strengthen the personal base of Maia Sandu, a little jostled due to the economic crisis. The head of state, French-speaking and close to Emmanuel Macron, is optimistic. But the obstacles are significant: the bar needs to be raised in terms of the economy, the rule of law and corruption.
Despite everything, Moldova, which has also begun its withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States, of which Russia is the leader, hopes to open negotiations with the 27 in the coming months to join the Union in 2030.