Moldova votes in election, EU referendum in shadow of Russian meddling via Reuters
By Tom Balmforth and Alexander Tanas
CHISINAU (Reuters) – Moldovans voted on Sunday in a presidential election and an EU referendum in a key moment that could bolster the small agricultural economy's push to join the European Union, after allegations of Russian election meddling.
As the war in Ukraine turns eastward and changes the political and diplomatic landscape of the former Soviet republic, it has accelerated its move to escape Moscow's path and begin the long process of EU accession negotiations.
Polls show that the incumbent in the West Maia Sandu is better than her 10 rivals in the election, although the race will go to a run-off on November 3 if she fails to reach 50% to win outright.
Polls show he is likely to face Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor-general backed by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, if the vote goes to a second round.
Sandu is hoping to see a resounding “yes” in the referendum, which will decide whether a clause in the constitution defines EU accession as a goal.
“Our fate is decided on Sunday. Everyone's vote matters, no matter where we are,” he wrote on Facebook (NASDAQ: ) on Friday.
The polls show support for many joining the 27-nation bloc, although five of the candidates told their supporters to vote “No” or boycott, saying the timing of the referendum was a ploy to boost Sandu's electoral momentum.
A referendum requires a turnout of at least one-third of the people on the voting list to be considered valid, although lists can be updated over the years despite large numbers of people emigrating.
Sandu's poor result will set the stage for parliamentary elections next summer, when political analysts say his PAS party will face a challenge to retain its majority.
Bordered by Romania and Ukraine, the nation of less than 3 million people has alternated between pro-Western and pro-Russian schools since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union.
Relations with Moscow have deteriorated since Sandu came to power in December 2020. His government has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, accusing Russia of plotting a coup and various power cuts after Russia cut gas supplies.
ALLEGED MEETING
This campaign has been overshadowed by allegations of election interference.
Police have accused Ilan Shor, a fugitive tycoon living in Russia, of trying to pay a network of at least 130,000 voters to vote “No” and support a particular candidate.
Shor, who was arrested in absentia for fraud and theft and is under western sanctions, publicly offered to pay Moldovans to persuade others to vote “No” and support “our candidate”. He denies that he made a mistake and says that the money is his.
In the run-up to the vote, state radio in Chisinau aired ads telling people not to vote for the money and asking them to report any such offers to the authorities.
On Thursday, law enforcement officials said they had uncovered a scheme in which hundreds of people were taken to Russia for training in counter-riots and riots.
Russia denies meddling in Moldova and has long accused its government of “Russophobia”.
Police chief Viorel Cernauteanu told Reuters on Saturday that there had been a flurry of voices and messages sent from abroad in recent days, telling Moldovans not to boycott the referendum or vote “No”.
He said the police did everything to avoid having a negative impact on the vote.
“It will have an impact either way, but I think it won't have an impact on the overall vote.”
