Moldova is a small, landlocked country with just over 2.5 million inhabitants. As it approaches a high-stakes election, this nation finds itself on dangerous ground. This election comes on the heels of Moldova’s success in gaining candidate status to join the European Union in 2022. This momentous achievement has added fuel to the fire on escalating geopolitical tensions. This milestone came just weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Although expected, this action raised alarms about the potential threats of Russian influence to Moldova’s sovereignty and democratic processes.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean has even recently expressed his concerns about a Russian hybrid war. He argues that this type of strategy is meant to delegitimize the government and take power. According to the Independent, Russia has supposedly poured “hundreds of millions” of euros into destabilizing Moldova over recent years. This encompasses large-scale vote-buying schemes and even cyberattacks on voting machines and databases. Now, with the presidential election quickly approaching, these worries are mounting. Advocates are worried that if implemented, these strategies will result in national riots and an organized, federal level disinformation campaign on Instagram.
In anticipation for possible unrest, Moldovan police, preemptively, raided hundreds of homes prior to the vote. They arrested hundreds of people who they thought were going to attempt to disrupt the electoral process. Law enforcement warned about white extremist groups planning to cause mayhem at midnight and on election day. The threats would not stop there, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced bomb threats against polling stations overseas, adding to the already tense climate.
Igor Dodon, a prominent figure in the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, characterized the election as a moment of empowerment for Moldovans. He stated, “This is the day when the people are not afraid, but others are afraid of the people.” His words are echoed by an increasing chorus of citizens who believe that their voices need to rise above the din, especially when faced with looming outside threats.
With its advantageous position right next to the Ukrainian border and EU member state Romania, Moldova has recently come under increasing attack as a result of Russian aggression. The government has largely pushed back against these challenges, aiming to keep a status quo even in the face of repeated crises. President Maia Sandu’s party, the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), secured reelection in last year’s presidential runoff with significant backing from abroad, signaling a desire among many Moldovans for democratic governance.
In the wake of all this progress, local residents say they’re feeling conflicted as they head into the hotly contested May primary election. Igor Mihailov offered a glimpse into what a painful choice voters have in this issue. “For me personally and for other people in our country, it’s a very tough choice,” he remarked. Mihailov reiterated that his most urgent priority is to make sure that government really serves the people. He finds that it must not pursue its own interests.
Young voters such as Cristian Iftodi see this election as key to determining the future direction of the country. “I was born after the independence of Moldova. I think it’s the most important election in the history of Moldova,” he stated. Iftodi believes that even though Moldova is small, it plays an essential role within the broader context of European integration.
Ever since President Maia Sandu assumed office, she has repeatedly raised the alarm over the threats that Russia poses to Moldova’s democracy. “Russia poses a danger to our democracies,” she stated, underscoring the fragility of democratic institutions in Moldova and beyond. Sandu has urged her fellow citizens to take ownership of their democracy, asserting, “Today, in our country, democracy is in the hands of Moldovans — only they can save the Republic of Moldova.”
As the election unfolds, international observers and local authorities remain on high alert for any signs of interference or unrest. This electoral event is heavily charged due to the immediate stakes that are high for Moldova. Beyond this immediate aspect, it has important implications for regional and European security.
“We want to live in a democracy.” – Maia Sandu
