Moldova Supports EU Membership by Slim Margin Despite Russian Election Interference

A narrow 50.46% of voters backed Moldova’s bid to join the European Union in a recent referendum, though the outcome was overshadowed by what President Maia Sandu described as “unprecedented” external interference, according to a Reuters report on October 21.

Simultaniously, Moldova’s presidential election saw Sandu receive 42% of the votes, while former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo garnered 26%, leading to a tight runoff between the two on November 3.

Moldova began formal EU accession talks in June, and Sandu has set a goal of joining the EU by 2030.

Sandu’s main opponent in the presidential race Stoianoglo pledged to pursue a “balanced” foreign policy that maintains ties with the EU, Russia, and the United States.

Earlier, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gerasimova stated that Russia has spent approximately €100 million attempting to disrupt the presidential elections and the referendum on EU accession, employing disinformation, destabilization operations, and voter bribery.