European Union accuses Russia of unprecedented interference in Moldovan elections

A spokesperson for the European Union has accused Russia of unprecedented levels of interference in Moldova’s presidential election on Sunday, Reuters has reported.

“This vote took place under unprecedented interference and intimidation by Russia and its proxies, aiming to destabilise the democratic processes in the Republic of Moldova,” Peter Stano said on Monday.

Moldova’s incumbent president, Maia Sandu, made a similar statement earlier in the day, accusing criminal groups of effectively attempting to buy 300,000 votes in the elections.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quick to deny the claims. In a radio interview, he said that if Sandu claimed “she was deprived of votes by some criminal groups, she should provide evidence. It would be no bad thing for her to explain why so many voters disagree with her position. … Or does she mean Moldovan citizens who do not support her are associated in her mind with criminal groups?”

With the presidential election count now complete, Sandu came out on top with 42.45% of ballots cast. The former Moldovan Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, from the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, came in second, with 25.98% of the vote, which means the two will now face each other in a run-off election on 3 November.

The results of a referendum on enshrining the country’s plans to join the EU in the Moldovan constitution have also now been finalised, with 50.46% of voters voting in favour of the measure, while 49.54% voted against. The European Commission recommended in November that the EU Council start negotiations with Moldova on its accession to the EU, with the country’s potential accession date set for 2030.