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Correio newspaper | Moldova decides next president and EU membership amid fears

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RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE

Moldova decides next president and EU membership amid fears

Moldova’s current president, Maia Sandu, is favorite to secure another presidential term in an election

  • Photo by the author Estadão

Published on October 20, 2024 at 6:53 pm

The population of Moldova will go to the polls this Sunday, the 20th, to decide on two important issues: the country’s next president and whether the former Soviet nation continues in the process of joining the European Union (EU). The vote comes amid fears of possible interference from Russia, which wants Moldovans not to draw closer to the West. Moscow denies it is interfering in Moldova.

Moldova’s current president, Maia Sandu, is favorite to secure another presidential term in an election in which 11 candidates are running. In 2020, Sandu became the first woman to lead the country, which is located between Romania, a country in the European Union and NATO, and Ukraine, a nation invaded by Russia in February 2022.

If Sandu fails to obtain more than 50% of the vote this Sunday, a second round will be held on November 3, which could pit her against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former attorney general who has views more favorable to Moscow. and has 10% of voting intentions.

Voters will also choose “yes” or “no” in the referendum on joining the European bloc. Polls predict a yes victory with 55%, but the unknown will be electoral participation, which needs to reach at least 33% for the referendum to be valid.

Moldovan parties that have a pro-Russian tendency are trying to boycott the referendum so that the turnout does not reach 33%.

“This vote will determine our destiny for many decades,” Sandu declared this Sunday. “It is the will of the Moldovan people that must be expressed, and not the will of other people, nor dirty money”, insisted the candidate, known for her reputation for incorruptibility.

Accusation of Russian interference; Moscow denies

The Moldovan government accuses Russia of being behind a “hybrid war” campaign to destabilize the country and derail its path towards the European bloc. Allegations include funding pro-Moscow opposition groups, spreading disinformation, meddling in local elections and supporting a major vote-buying scheme. Moscow has repeatedly denied that it is interfering in Moldova.

In early October, Moldovan authorities claimed to have uncovered a massive vote-buying scheme orchestrated by an exiled pro-Russian oligarch currently residing in Russia. Authorities believe he paid €15 million to 130,000 citizens to undermine the results of the two ballots.

Moldova, a former Soviet republic with a population of about 2.5 million, applied to join the European Union after Russia invaded Ukraine. Brussels agreed in June to the start of accession negotiations.

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Michelle Williams

I'm Michelle Williams, an enthusiastic author specializing in captivating entertainment content on Rwcglobally.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for the latest trends, I aim to engage readers with compelling narratives that reflect the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry. Join me on Rwcglobally.com to explore the world of film, television, music, and more, as we uncover the stories that define contemporary culture.

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