Moldova's fight for democracy

Democracies around the world are under attack by a network of autocrats and malign actors seeking to undermine democracy, elections and freedoms. Moldovawhich has just held its presidential elections and, on October 20, a constitutional referendum on its European futureis the latest country to be hit by an autocratic wave of massive election interference disinformation Campaigns and cyberattacks. Moldovans face a difficult electoral environment as they return to the polls for the Nov. 3 runoff.

Russian and Moldovan proxies are reported to have staged a massive, unprecedented vote-buying operation by funneling money directly there 138,488 Moldovans before the election To influence the presidential election and the referendum. Incredibly, the number of Moldovans who received Russian money could be higher.

The Kremlin's election interference is not only observed in Moldova. We are seeing similar damaging attempts by Russia to destabilize democracies and sabotage elections around the world, including in the United States. Massive Russian interference in Moldova and last week in Georgia General elections present ominous warning signs for American officials and voters ahead of the November election.

Moldova's partners, including the United States, the European Union (EU) and the transatlantic community, must continue to support Moldovans in their preparations to counter Russian-sponsored interference ahead of the second round of presidential elections on November 3. US, EU, And NATO Direct cooperation with the Moldovan government, civil society and the private sector was crucial to countering massive Russian disinformation and cyberattacks in the pre-election period.

Moldova is at a critical point in its fight for democracy and security. In addition to electing their next president, Moldovans showed their courage to advance democracy over a close referendum to anchor EU integration in its constitution. This happened despite Russia's influence efforts to undermine the ballot measure and withdraw Moldova from Europe.

Democracy and elections in Moldova bent but did not break on October 20, despite Russia's best efforts. However, the stakes remain high and Moldova's impressive resilience, democratic progress and steps towards EU membership are at stake in November's run-off election.

Russian influence operations

Russia is consistent efforts Efforts to destabilize Moldova have only increased since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, including in Moldova Local elections in 2023. In the last two years, the US, European Union, United Kingdom (UK), Canadaand other countries have responded sanctioning Russian officials and Moldovan actors are undermining Moldova's power democracyElections, economy and security.

Ahead of October's elections, the US, Canada and the UK made public statements Issue Moscow's attempts to influence Moldova's democratic institutions. Days before the election, Moldovan authorities announced they had been identified 100 provocateurs and arrested four people who were allegedly trained in Russia and the Balkans to cause election unrest.

On October 21, Moldova's pro-democracy President Maia Sandu confirmed fears of widespread election interference, saying that Moldovan authorities had “clear evidence that these criminal groups aimed to buy 300,000 votes.” affect the operation “A fraud of unprecedented proportions.” If confirmed, with a voting population of just over 3 millionThe extent of the alleged fraud is immense. The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) were published provisionally Testify After the election, this highlights Russian interference, including vote buying, illegal party funding, propaganda and cyberattacks.

The electoral landscape

Since Moldova's independence, Russia has used proxies at national, regional and political levels local levels to thwart Moldova's EU aspirations and prevent democracy and the rule of law from taking root. The pro-Russian Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, which was sanctioned by the USA, is a prime example of Putin's cadre of enablers in Moldova. Shor is accused by the Moldovan police Raised $39 million through a Russian bank in September and October to influence voters in Moldova. As in Ukraine and the region in general, the malign actions of Russia and its proxies have had a devastating impact on Moldova's democratic, economic and security progress – the presidential election is no exception.

President Sandu, the receive With a vote share of 42.49%, he now faces his challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, the former Attorney General of Moldova, who received 25.95%. Stoianoglo is supports by the Russian Party of Socialists (PSRM) under the leadership of former President Igor Dodon, an ally of Putin. Stoianoglo was dismissed President Sandu was removed from his position as Attorney General after he was arrested by national anti-corruption officials in October 2021 on various corruption charges. Stoianoglo's candidacy is also supports by the Moscow-backed oligarch Shor's voting bloc. In the 2nd023, Shor was convicted Having stolen $1 billion from Moldovan banks.

A defining moment for Moldova

On Sunday, Moldovans will determine their country's political, economic and security development for the coming decades. President Sandu and the Action and Solidarity Party-led government, elected on a pro-EU platform, have worked diligently to maintain and promote security and stability democratically And Anti-corruption Progressand to secure the status of an EU candidate country, even after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The results of Moldova's upcoming presidential election will decide not only the country's domestic political direction and integration into Europe, but also its position in a region destabilized by ongoing conflict. Moldovans will decide whether their future is in their hands or will be undermined again by malign actors like Putin's Russia. The Moldovans will have to struggle with this again challengesincluding Russian interference, ahead of their parliamentary elections in 2025.

Moldova's partner

Time is running out to support Moldovans in electing their next president and fighting to secure their democracy and EU integration. A concerted effort with partners is needed now and in the future to address the Kremlin's malign actions, disinformation and election interference. It is not too early to focus on a similar level of partner engagement and support that will be required in the run-up to Moldova's elections in 2025. It is in the interest of the transatlantic community to help Moldova secure its hard-won progress and democratic future and strengthen its position within Europe while meeting current challenges. Moldova, the USA and Europe are stronger and safer when democracies stand together.