The article reports on Moldova’s President Maia Sandu, who described an “unprecedented assault” on the country’s democratic process by “foreign forces” as the EU membership referendum remained undecided after over two-thirds of the votes were counted. Leading up to the vote, authorities warned of significant Russian interference, highlighting their struggle against a network of Kremlin proxies and the influx of illegal money aimed at influencing the vote.
President Sandu, who highlighted the referendum as a pivotal choice for the former Soviet nation of 2.5 million people between a pro-Western path and a return to Russian influence, also did not secure enough support to win outright in a concurrent presidential election. In a brief statement from her election headquarters on Sunday night, Sandu claimed her government had evidence of attempts by criminal groups to buy 300,000 votes to influence the outcome of both votes. She asserted, “Together with foreign forces hostile to our national interests, [they] have attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies, and propaganda.”
Sandu emphasized her commitment to defending democracy and freedom, awaiting the final results while pledging decisive action. Early results after Sunday midnight indicated about 53 percent of voters were against joining the EU, a goal Sandu aimed to achieve by 2030 following Ukraine’s invasion by Russia.
Although 80 percent of the ballots were counted, the results remained too close due to the narrow margin and potential influence of Moldova’s western diaspora. The referendum’s close outcome surprised many, as polls had previously indicated two-thirds support for EU membership. This result may enable Russia to further exploit divisions within Moldova, particularly in rural and ethnic minority areas where opposition to both Sandu and the EU was concentrated.
In Gagauzia, a minority region that declared independence after the Soviet Union’s fall before agreeing to autonomous status within Moldova, only 5 percent voted in favor of the EU, according to preliminary results. Ahead of the voting day, law enforcement had alerted about a significant Russian effort to impact the vote, estimating $100 million was spent on influence operations and voter bribery. Police reported various schemes designed to bribe voters, including using “money mules” arriving on flights from Moscow carrying large sums of cash.
With Sandu’s support for a second presidential term at 38 percent early Monday, she is set to face Alexandr Stoianoglo, who garnered 29 percent of the vote, in a runoff next month. Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor-general and political newcomer, received backing from the pro-Russian socialist party. If additional minor candidates rally behind him, the upcoming race could be exceptionally competitive.
Sandu and her supporters had hoped for a decisive “yes” vote to confirm Moldovans’ commitment to their chosen future. Though not required to hold a referendum on EU membership at this stage of the accession process, some diplomats and observers described the move as risk-laden. Nonetheless, Sandu’s team sought to take advantage of the pro-EU alignment of the president and parliament, coupled with the EU’s accelerated support prompted by Russia’s Ukraine invasion. The EU recently committed a €1.8 billion multiyear package to assist Moldova’s accession efforts.
