Presidential Runoff Highlights Regional Divide
Moldovans are voting to choose between pro-European President Maia Sandu and pro-Russian challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo. This marks the second round of the presidential election after the October 20 vote. Sandu led with 42% but did not secure a majority, while Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, received 26%. No candidate achieved the required 50% plus one vote, triggering a runoff to determine Moldova’s geopolitical future.
The first round coincided with a national referendum on EU membership, which narrowly passed with 50.35% support. The result, driven by overseas votes, faced allegations of a Moscow-backed vote-buying scheme. Moldovan authorities linked the scheme to Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch convicted of fraud and money laundering. Shor allegedly funneled €35.8 million to over 130,000 voters using a sanctioned Russian bank. He denied any wrongdoing.
Concerns Over Electoral Integrity
The integrity of Moldova’s electoral process is under scrutiny. Octavian Ticu, a presidential candidate, voiced concerns about vote-buying, highlighting the presence of Shor’s associates handling large cash sums. Ticu was the only candidate from the first round to endorse Sandu in the runoff.
Voters from Transnistria, a breakaway region with a Russian military presence, are participating in the election. Ticu warned that Russian troop movements toward Odesa could threaten Moldova’s sovereignty. In Gagauzia, where support for EU membership is low, police arrested a doctor for allegedly pressuring elderly voters. Investigators discovered financial links to a sanctioned Russian bank.
Efforts to combat electoral corruption include cash seizures and investigations targeting state officials. These actions expose significant flaws in Moldova’s judiciary, raising doubts about the election’s legitimacy. Pro-Moscow factions are especially critical of the process.
Former President Igor Dodon, aligned with Russia, dismissed the referendum’s outcome and criticized Sandu’s administration. Sandu acknowledged issues of fraud and foreign interference, warning that judicial reform is essential for Moldova’s future.
As one of Europe’s poorest nations, Moldova faces high inflation, making its citizens vulnerable to electoral bribery. Observers fear Moscow’s influence could increase ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections. Support for the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity has declined, raising concerns about its ability to maintain a majority in Moldova’s 101-seat legislature.