Europe Moldova's president deplores unprecedented vote rigging

In the former Soviet republic of Moldova, the pro-European head of state Maia Sandu has lamented an unprecedented attack by anti-democratic forces on the presidential election.

Criminal groups, together with a foreign power, had attempted to destabilize the situation in Moldova. The leadership of the impoverished agrarian state, which is striving to join the EU, sees Russia as the greatest threat to the stability of the republic. In a referendum on the country's EU ambitions held at the same time as the election, the state leadership is also threatened with a bitter defeat, which Moscow is likely to welcome.

There is evidence that 300,000 votes were bought, Sandu said during a night-time appearance in the capital Chisinau. Tens of millions of euros had been spent to spread lies and propaganda. "We are dealing with an unprecedented attack on freedom and democracy in our country," Sandu was quoted as saying by local media. She wanted to wait for the final result and then make decisions.

Pro-Russian voter bribery uncovered

The 52-year-old did not give any details. However, Moldovan security forces had already uncovered voter bribery and pro-Russian disinformation in the country of around 2.5 million inhabitants, which lies between Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, and the EU member state Romania, before the election.

Sandu is running for a second term in office. After counting more than 96% of the ballot papers, she fell short of an absolute majority with around 41% of the votes and would therefore have to go into a run-off in two weeks' time. Her opponent will most likely be former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo, who received around 27% of the vote and is running for the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian former President Igor Dodon. A total of eleven candidates stood for election, including some who advocate good relations with Russia.

EU referendum: No to constitutional change?

One of Sandu's most important goals is to have the country's EU course irrevocably enshrined in the constitution as a strategic goal. In the referendum on this issue, after almost 97% of the votes had been counted, it appeared that the people had voted against the constitutional amendment by a wafer-thin majority. Surveys had suggested the opposite.

In addition to Russia, an influential player in Moldovan politics is Ilan Shor, an oligarch loyal to Moscow who fled abroad, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for money laundering and fraud in his home country and is a wanted man. According to Russian state media, Shor accused his rival Sandu of having failed in the election - Moldova does not need the EU.

Russia accuses the European Union of influencing the vote with promises of billions. During a visit to Chisinau and a meeting with Sandu shortly before the vote, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held out the prospect of 1.8 billion euros in funding. The financial injection is primarily intended to boost growth, create jobs and improve services and infrastructure.

Criticism of the referendum

On election Sunday, there was also some harsh criticism of the fact that Sandu linked the presidential election and the EU referendum. Several politicians from pro-Russia parties boycotted the referendum and spoke of an illegal process. "The talks with the European Union should continue, but the decision on EU membership should only be made after the conclusion of these negotiations, when all conditions are clear," said ex-President Dodon. Only then would a referendum be possible.

Many are dissatisfied with Sandu's policy

In the Russian capital Moscow, long queues formed outside the Moldovan embassy to cast their vote. At the same time, there were complaints that the number of polling stations in Russia had been deliberately kept small and that there were not enough ballot papers available. According to the media in Moldova, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chisinau described the queues as an artificial staging.

The field of candidates is also likely to have been so large because many people are dissatisfied with Sandu's policies and have seen too little progress since her election in 2020 - for example in the repeatedly proclaimed fight against corruption. Back then, Sandu received 36.2 percent of the vote in the first round and 57.7 percent in the second round. Because she pushed through a waiver on Russian gas, energy prices rose, which annoyed many consumers.

In order to implement reforms, Sandu is dependent on a majority in parliament, which she currently still has. The political power struggle in Moldova could reach its climax in the parliamentary elections next summer. "A strong, policy-shaping role as president requires a loyal prime minister and a majority in parliament," said expert Brigitta Triebel from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Chisinau to the German Press Agency. She does not expect Russia's attempts to exert influence in Moldova to abate.