Daniel Mihelescu/AFPMoldovans will vote in the second round of a presidential election on Sunday, seen as a choice between Europe’s future or a return to Russian influence.
Pro-European President Maia Sandu faces Alexandr Stoianoglo, whom she fired as chief prosecutor and promised to balance foreign policy between the West and Russia. and was supported by the pro-Russian Socialist Party.
Sandu and Moldovan authorities have warned that a fugitive oligarch now living in Russia is trying to buy elections for Moscow.
The Kremlin has denied meddling in the vote, as it did in Georgia’s disputed election last weekend, with the Georgian president describing the vote as a “Russian special operation”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We firmly reject any accusation that we somehow interfered in this matter. We will not do so.”
Two weeks ago, Sandhu won the first round of voting with 42.4% of the vote, well ahead of Alexandr Stoianoglo’s 26% but short of the 50% she needed to win outright. Difference. His share of the vote may increase due to votes from candidates who failed to advance to the runoff.
Stoianoglo told Moldovans that he would be an “apolitical president” for everyone, with the goals of security, peace and prosperity, and a “true European model.”
But commentators and politicians warn that Stoanoglu’s victory could fundamentally change the political landscape of the Danube and Black Sea regions, not because he is some kind of “Trojan horse” but because Russia already has He expressed support.
ReutersFormer Moldovan Defense Minister Anatole Sararu said the election will decide whether Moldova “continues the European integration process or returns to Russia”.
Moldova, a former Soviet republic flanked by Ukraine and Romania, is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with a population of 2.5 million people. It also has a large expat population of 1.2 million, whose votes could play a key role in Maia Sandu’s runoff.
Moldova opened negotiations to join the European Union, and on the same day as the first round of negotiations, Moldovans narrowly voted to amend the constitution and commit to joining the EU.
Although Maia Sandu said there was clear evidence of attempts to buy 300,000 votes, the small margin was surprising.
The BBC spoke to one voter who said she and others had sold votes for up to 1,000 rubles (£8).
Whatever Russia’s role behind the scenes, police say fugitive oligarch Ilan Shore moved $39m (£30m) from Moscow over two months to Moldovan bank accounts in September and October, exposing at least 138,000 people to Voters benefit.
Shore denied wrongdoing but promised cash aid to those prepared to support his call for a “no” to the EU. He faces a lengthy prison sentence in Moldova on money laundering and corruption charges.
Stoianoglo denies links to Ilan Shor, but he does have the support of the opposition pro-Russian Socialist Party, led by former president Igor Dodon.
A third-ranked populist former mayor refused to back him or Maia Sandu and criticized both men in equal measure.
Renato Usatti told his supporters: “Do what you think is appropriate. You have to decide for yourself.” It was an eye-opener for the game.
