Moscow's meddling shadows Moldova's crucial EU referendum
On October 20, elections for the president of the Republic of Moldova will be held, alongside a referendum regarding joining the European Union. Moscow is ramping up its efforts to obstruct pro-European movements. The shadow of Putin looms once more over Moldova.
The referendum is being called a "historic event" because it will affirm the nation's move toward closer ties with the EU.
While the majority of Moldovans favour joining the EU, and since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, openly pro-Russian politics have become less mainstream in Moldova, Kremlin-aligned forces continue their activities, leveraging pro-Russian sentiments and primarily resorting to illegal methods.
Hybrid activities
European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano mentioned on Friday, two days before Moldova's presidential elections and referendum, that Russia is attempting to undermine the country’s democracy. He emphasized that the people of Moldova will be choosing between a European path and Russian imperialism, and he stressed that this is a pivotal moment.
Just ahead of Moldova's elections, Russian hybrid activities have intensified, aiming to disrupt the policies of the pro-Western government. These include information campaigns and illegal funding on an unprecedented scale, directed at pro-Russian activists and politicians and used to buy votes.
In early October, police reported that just in September, Russia illicitly sent over CAD 20 million to Moldova for voter bribery. The money entered the country through intermediaries, from bank accounts in Russia, coordinated via bots on Telegram.
"I trust that Moldovans will never allow themselves to be deceived," said Prime Minister Dorin Recean in a speech on Thursday before the upcoming elections and referendum on Sunday. He cautioned against increased electoral bribery efforts by pro-Russian forces. "Dear citizens, do not fall into the trap of such banditry," he urged.
The siren song of Moscow
Kremlin-linked groups are tapping into the pro-Russian sentiments of some Moldovan community members to manipulate the subject of EU membership. In an election clip, three Russian entertainment stars proclaim that "their heart is Moldova."
An election clip recently released features top-tier Russian entertainment stars Filipp Kirkorov, Nikolay Baskov, and Stas Mikhaylov, known Kremlin favourites and supporters of the war in Ukraine.
Kirkorov and Baskov, clad in Moldovan folk attire, sing in Romanian the song "Inima mea e Moldova," important to Moldovans, about "their heart being Moldova." The backdrop includes picturesque Moldovan landscapes and the Orheiland amusement park built by Sora. When the EU is mentioned, images of Ursula von der Leyen with a stern expression, scenes from pride parades and protests on European streets or photos of migrants storming the EU border appear.
"We need an independent Moldova. We do not need the EU. Vote 'no'" reads a caption below an image of wheat fields and a smiling girl with a wreath on her head.
Getting the most from the EU and being most opposed to it
According to polls released before Sunday’s referendum on enshrining euro integration into the constitution, over half of Moldovans intend to vote to join the EU.
The Watchdog survey, published on Thursday, indicates that 55.1% of respondents would vote "yes" in the referendum, while 34.5% would oppose changing the constitution. Simultaneously, 63.5% of those surveyed support joining the EU. A total of 76.3% of respondents expressed their intention to participate in the presidential elections and referendum.
"However, anti-EU sentiments in some regions, particularly in Gagauzia, are concerning," said international affairs expert Rodica Panta. "In the traditionally pro-Russian autonomous region of Gagauzia, these sentiments are opposite. According to a recent poll, an average of six out of ten people oppose the EU."
The paradox is that "in Gagauzia, the EU has made investments worth tens of millions of euros, yet the hostility towards the EU is highest there." "Indeed, there are plaques with the EU flag and informational boards, but most are in Romanian, a language not commonly spoken there. Moreover, the official narrative from local authorities is that all good things come from Russia," explained Panta.
