EU candidate country Moldova: Moldova has voted on its president and the EU referendum

The Republic of Moldova, torn between the West and Russia, has set the course for its future in a presidential election and an EU referendum. After a quiet process and high turnout, the polling stations closed at 9:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. CEST).

According to the electoral commission in the capital Chisinau, the counting of votes began in the country with 2.5 million inhabitants, which, like neighboring Ukraine, is a candidate for EU membership. The first results are expected late in the evening. President Maia Sandu is hoping to be the favorite for a second term in office, neighboring EU member Romania. Because she has ten competitors, a runoff election in two weeks with the second-place candidate is considered likely.

Moldova must determine its own future under the conditions of peace and freedom, said Sandu from the Action and Solidarity party (PAS). “I voted because Moldovans should determine their own destiny and not lies and dirty money.” The 52-year-old head of state had around 36 percent approval in surveys before the election. Former Attorney General Alexandru Stoianoglo followed in second place as a candidate from the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian ex-President Igor Dodon. Observers attributed around two thirds of the candidates to the Russian-backed camp, which, however, is not united.

Accusations of influencing voters

Moldovan security authorities uncovered cases of pro-Russian disinformation and voter bribery ahead of the votes. The oligarch loyal to Moscow, Ilan Shor, who fled abroad and was convicted of money laundering and fraud in his home country and is wanted, is considered an important player.

Russia, in turn, accuses the EU of trying to influence the vote by promising billions. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised 1.8 billion euros during a visit to Chisinau and a meeting with Sandu shortly before the vote. The aim is to finance jobs, growth, services and infrastructure.

Before the election, President Sandu announced that she would continue her reform-oriented course. The people of Moldova were also called upon to hold a referendum to enshrine the country’s EU course in the constitution as “irreversible.” According to the referendum, this sentence should be included in the constitution in the future: “Integration into the European Union is declared to be a strategic goal of the Republic of Moldova.” According to surveys, a stable majority of 50 to 60 percent of Moldovans are in favor of an EU course.

Criticism of the EU referendum

There was also some sharp criticism on election Sunday that Sandu linked the presidential election and the EU referendum. Several politicians from parties in the pro-Russia camp boycotted the EU referendum. Former President Dodon of the Socialist Party spoke of an “illegal process” because it was not a referendum, but a constitutional change.

“Talks with the European Union should continue, but the decision on EU membership should only be made after the conclusion of these negotiations, when all conditions are clear,” Dodon emphasized. Only then would a referendum be possible.

Votes in Moscow and pro-Russian regions

In the Russian capital Moscow, long queues formed in front of the Moldovan embassy to cast votes. At the same time, there were complaints that the number of polling stations in Russia was deliberately kept small and that there were not enough ballot papers. According to media in Moldova, the Foreign Ministry in Chisinau described the snakes as an artificial production.

Russian influence is also strong in the Transnistria region, which has broken away from Moldova and is dependent on Moscow and which borders Ukraine, as well as in the Moldovan autonomous province of Gagauzia, where the regional head of government Irina Vlah ran as a “for peace” candidate.

The field of applicants may also have been so large because many people are dissatisfied with Sandu’s politics and see too little progress since her election in 2020, for example in the repeatedly announced fight against corruption in the impoverished agricultural state. At that time, Sandu received 36.2 percent of the vote in the first round and 57.7 percent of the vote in the second round. Because it imposed a ban on Russian gas, energy prices rose, which angered many consumers.

In order to implement reforms, Sandu depends on the majority in parliament, which she currently has. According to observers, the political power struggle in Moldova will reach its climax in the parliamentary elections next summer. “For a strong policy-making role as president, a loyal prime minister and a majority in parliament are necessary,” said Moldova expert Brigitta Triebel from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Chisinau to the German Press Agency. She does not expect Russia to ease up on its attempts to exert influence in the country.