Moldova

Pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandu re-elected to second term as president of Moldova<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//10//30//existential-threat-moscows-shadow-looms-over-the-eus-enlargement-drive/">/u2018Existential threat\u2019: Moscow\u2019s shadow looms over the EU's enlargement drive<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Transnistrian question has been a major burden in Moldova's post-Cold War political development. While the pro-Russian breakaway region and the legitimate Republic of Moldova have not come into conflict in the last three decades, the ceasefire has only served Moscow's interests in Central Europe.<\/p>\n<p>\"I'm afraid we are not in a position to impose or suggest outcomes since we have our own frozen conflict for 30 years,\" said Pop\u015foi, \"and we would certainly not recommend it to anyone.\"<\/p>\n<p>The foreign minister suggested that the Transnitstrian issue should also be on the agenda of a potential peace agreement for Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>\"Whenever that discussion comes, we also hope that the Transnitstrian issue will be part of the solution,\" he said. \"There are Russian troops and munitions in Moldova that also need to leave. In the context of this settlement, that should also be on the agenda.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1732010989,"updatedAt":1732037981,"publishedAt":1732037488,"firstPublishedAt":1732037488,"lastPublishedAt":1732037488,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/86\/05\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_afbd2ab2-b958-5e87-b797-6dcf5b32d408-8860576.jpg","altText":"Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Pop\u015foi ","caption":"Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Pop\u015foi ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Claudio Centonze\/EU","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5351,"height":3567}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":26,"urlSafeValue":"cantone","title":"Sergio Cantone","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":10377,"slug":"transdniestria","urlSafeValue":"transdniestria","title":"Transdniestria","titleRaw":"Transdniestria"},{"id":26700,"slug":"membership","urlSafeValue":"membership","title":"membership","titleRaw":"membership"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2640762},{"id":2676798},{"id":2710856}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"wlq9wMUnhnc","dailymotionId":"x99fif4"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/19\/en\/241119_E3SU_57058683_57064481_152160_180926_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":152160,"filesizeBytes":18976871,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/19\/en\/241119_E3SU_57058683_57064481_152160_180926_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":152160,"filesizeBytes":28790375,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Serta\u00e7 Aktan","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84111001","84112005"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/19\/moldova-firms-up-eu-ties-in-the-face-of-russian-propaganda-with-transnistria-the-key-chall","lastModified":1732037488},{"id":2669478,"cid":8829966,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241104_E3SU_56921595","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandu re-elected to second term as president of Moldova","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Pro-EU Maia Sandu re-elected as president of Moldova","titleListing2":"Pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandu re-elected to second term as president of Moldova","leadin":"Speaking at the headquarters of her Action and Solidarity party in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, Sandu said her priority in the coming years would be to be a president for all Moldovans.","summary":"Speaking at the headquarters of her Action and Solidarity party in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, Sandu said her priority in the coming years would be to be a president for all Moldovans.","keySentence":"","url":"pro-eu-incumbent-maia-sandu-re-elected-to-second-term-as-president-of-moldova","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/04\/pro-eu-incumbent-maia-sandu-re-elected-to-second-term-as-president-of-moldova","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldova's pro-Western incumbent president Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent,\u00a0in a race overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud and intimidation.\n\nWith more than 99% of votes counted in the second round, Sandu had 55.03% of the vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission.\n\nHer competitor, the former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, was polling at just under 45%.\n\nSpeaking at the headquarters of her Action and Solidarity party in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, Sandu struck a conciliatory tone and said she had listened to those who had voted both for and against her, adding that her priority in the coming years would be to be a president for all Moldovans.\n\nBut she went on to claim that her country's vote had faced an \"unprecedented attack\" through alleged schemes including dirty money, vote-buying and electoral interference \"by hostile forces from outside the country.\"\n\n\"You have shown that nothing can stand in the way of the people's power when they choose to speak through their vote,\" she said.\n\nWhen polls closed locally at 9pm local time, turnout stood at more than 1.68 million people, around 54% of eligible voters, according to the Central Election Commission.\n\nMoldova's large diaspora, which cast ballots in record numbers of more than 325,000, voted heavily in favour of Sandu.\n\nIn the\u00a0first round, which was held on 20 October, Sandu took 42% of the vote but failed to win an outright majority over second place Stoianoglo.\n\nMoldova's presidential role carries significant powers in areas such as foreign policy and national security and has a four-year term.\n\nAllegations of interference\n\nOn Sunday, Moldovan police said they had \"reasonable evidence\" of organised transportation of voters, illegal under the country's electoral code, to polling stations from within the country and from overseas and are \"investigating and registering evidence in connection with air transport activities from Russia to Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey.\"\n\n\"Such measures are taken to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure that every citizen\u2019s vote is cast freely without undue pressure or influence,\" police said.\n\nMoldova's foreign ministry said on Sunday afternoon that polling stations in Frankfurt, Germany, and Liverpool and Northampton in the UK had been targeted by false bomb threats, which \"intended only to stop the voting process.\"\n\nStanislav Secrieru, the president's national security adviser, wrote on X: \"We are seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process,\u201d which he warned had a \u201chigh potential to distort the outcome\" of the vote.\n\nSecrieru later added that the national voter record systems were being targeted by \"ongoing coordinated cyberattacks\" to disrupt links between domestic polling stations and those abroad, and that cybersecurity teams were \"working to counter these threats and ensure system continuity.\"\n\nMoldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that people throughout the country had received \u201canonymous death threats via phone calls\u201d in what he called \"an extreme attack\" to scare voters in the former Soviet republic, which has a population of about 2.5 million people.\u00a0\n\nVote-buying scheme\n\nMoldovans voted twice on 20 October; first for the president and second in a referendum on whether to enshrine the aim of EU membership in the country\u2019s constitution.\n\nThat passed with a razor-thin majority of 50.35%, given a boost in the final hours of ballot counting by overseas voters.\n\nIn the wake of those October votes, Moldovan law enforcement said that a vote-buying scheme was orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch who lives in Russia and was\u00a0convicted in absentia last year of fraud and money laundering.\n\nShor denies any wrongdoing.\n\nProsecutors allege that $39 million (\u20ac35 million) was paid to more than 130,000 recipients through an internationally sanctioned Russian bank to voters between September and October.\n\nAnti-corruption authorities have conducted hundreds of searches and seized over $2.7 million (\u20ac2.5 million) in cash as they attempt to crack down.\n\nIn one case in Gagauzia, an autonomous part of Moldova where only 5% voted in favour of joining the EU, a physician was detained after allegedly coercing 25 residents of a home for older adults to vote for a candidate they did not choose.\n\nPolice said they obtained \"conclusive evidence\", including financial transfers from the same Russian bank.\n\nMoldova's EU future \n\nA pro-Western government has been in power in Moldova since 2021 and parliamentary elections are set to take place next year.\n\nMoldova watchers warn that the 2025 vote could be Moscow's main target.\n\nIn the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied to join the EU. It was granted candidate status in June of that year, and in summer 2024, Brussels agreed\u00a0to start membership negotiations.\n\nThe sharp westward shift irked Moscow and significantly soured relations with Chi\u0219in\u0103u.\n\nSince then, Moldovan authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of waging a vast \"hybrid war\", from sprawling disinformation campaigns to protests by pro-Russia parties to vote-buying schemes that undermine countrywide elections.\n\nRussia has denied any meddling.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldova's pro-Western incumbent president Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent,\u00a0in a race overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud and intimidation.<\/p>\n<p>With more than 99% of votes counted in the second round, Sandu had 55.03% of the vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission.<\/p>\n<p>Her competitor, the former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, was polling at just under 45%.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the headquarters of her Action and Solidarity party in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, Sandu struck a conciliatory tone and said she had listened to those who had voted both for and against her, adding that her priority in the coming years would be to be a president for all Moldovans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1853209669390516499\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>But she went on to claim that her country's vote had faced an \"unprecedented attack\" through alleged schemes including dirty money, vote-buying and electoral interference \"by hostile forces from outside the country.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"You have shown that nothing can stand in the way of the people's power when they choose to speak through their vote,\" she said.<\/p>\n<p>When polls closed locally at 9pm local time, turnout stood at more than 1.68 million people, around 54% of eligible voters, according to the Central Election Commission.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova's large diaspora, which cast ballots in record numbers of more than 325,000, voted heavily in favour of Sandu.<\/p>\n<p>In the\u00a0first round, which was held on 20 October, Sandu took 42% of the vote but failed to win an outright majority over second place Stoianoglo.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova's presidential role carries significant powers in areas such as foreign policy and national security and has a four-year term.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Allegations of interference<\/strong><\/h2><p>On Sunday, Moldovan police said they had \"reasonable evidence\" of organised transportation of voters, illegal under the country's electoral code, to polling stations from within the country and from overseas and are \"investigating and registering evidence in connection with air transport activities from Russia to Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Such measures are taken to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure that every citizen\u2019s vote is cast freely without undue pressure or influence,\" police said.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova's foreign ministry said on Sunday afternoon that polling stations in Frankfurt, Germany, and Liverpool and Northampton in the UK had been targeted by false bomb threats, which \"intended only to stop the voting process.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6667857142857143\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//82//99//66//808x539_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg/" alt=\"Maia Sandu&#39;s main competitor was former prosecutor general, Alexandr Stoianoglo, 3 November, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/384x256_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/640x427_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/750x500_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/828x552_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/1080x720_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/1200x800_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/1920x1280_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Maia Sandu&#39;s main competitor was former prosecutor general, Alexandr Stoianoglo, 3 November, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Stanislav Secrieru, the president's national security adviser, wrote on X: \"We are seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process,\u201d which he warned had a \u201chigh potential to distort the outcome\" of the vote.<\/p>\n<p>Secrieru later added that the national voter record systems were being targeted by \"ongoing coordinated cyberattacks\" to disrupt links between domestic polling stations and those abroad, and that cybersecurity teams were \"working to counter these threats and ensure system continuity.\"<\/p>\n<p>Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that people throughout the country had received \u201canonymous death threats via phone calls\u201d in what he called \"an extreme attack\" to scare voters in the former Soviet republic, which has a population of about 2.5 million people.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Vote-buying scheme<\/strong><\/h2><p>Moldovans voted twice on 20 October; first for the president and second in a referendum on whether to enshrine the aim of EU membership in the country\u2019s constitution.<\/p>\n<p>That passed with a razor-thin majority of 50.35%, given a boost in the final hours of ballot counting by overseas voters.<\/p>\n<p>In the wake of those October votes, Moldovan law enforcement said that a vote-buying scheme was orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch who lives in Russia and was\u00a0convicted in absentia last year of fraud and money laundering.<\/p>\n<div data-oembed-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DB4HW7otwj6\/?img_index=1\" class=\"widget widget--type-instagram widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DB4HW7otwj6\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//DB4HW7otwj6//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//DB4HW7otwj6//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by CEC Moldova (@cec.moldova)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"////platform.instagram.com//en_US//embeds.js/">/n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Shor denies any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors allege that $39 million (\u20ac35 million) was paid to more than 130,000 recipients through an internationally sanctioned Russian bank to voters between September and October.<\/p>\n<p>Anti-corruption authorities have conducted hundreds of searches and seized over $2.7 million (\u20ac2.5 million) in cash as they attempt to crack down.<\/p>\n<p>In one case in Gagauzia, an autonomous part of Moldova where only 5% voted in favour of joining the EU, a physician was detained after allegedly coercing 25 residents of a home for older adults to vote for a candidate they did not choose.<\/p>\n<p>Police said they obtained \"conclusive evidence\", including financial transfers from the same Russian bank.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Moldova's EU future<\/strong><\/h2><p>A pro-Western government has been in power in Moldova since 2021 and parliamentary elections are set to take place next year.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova watchers warn that the 2025 vote could be Moscow's main target.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//82//99//66//808x539_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg/" alt=\"A man casts his ballot at a polling station in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 3 November, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/384x256_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/640x427_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/750x500_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/828x552_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/1080x720_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/1200x800_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/1920x1280_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A man casts his ballot at a polling station in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 3 November, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied to join the EU. It was granted candidate status in June of that year, and in summer 2024, Brussels agreed\u00a0to start membership negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>The sharp westward shift irked Moscow and significantly soured relations with Chi\u0219in\u0103u.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, Moldovan authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of waging a vast \"hybrid war\", from sprawling disinformation campaigns to protests by pro-Russia parties to vote-buying schemes that undermine countrywide elections.<\/p>\n<p>Russia has denied any meddling.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1730668201,"updatedAt":1730701658,"publishedAt":1730678460,"firstPublishedAt":1730678460,"lastPublishedAt":1730701653,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_68b4870f-3637-563a-995a-07001d692115-8829966.jpg","altText":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu celebrates with supporters the preliminary results of the presidential runoff in Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 3 November, 2024","caption":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu celebrates with supporters the preliminary results of the presidential runoff in Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 3 November, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":7000,"height":3937},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c4742ae9-0720-5346-a3ac-390c92103983-8829966.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":6411,"height":4274},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/99\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_979b082e-df76-5d0b-a9a3-aee68b81b0fd-8829966.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5600,"height":3734}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":24386,"slug":"sandu","urlSafeValue":"sandu","title":"Maia Sandu","titleRaw":"Maia Sandu"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"instagram","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2665954},{"id":2659828},{"id":2681906}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"cZMoGr0ui6Y","dailymotionId":"x98jti8"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/04\/en\/241104_E3SU_56921595_56921660_94000_051658_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":94000,"filesizeBytes":11881700,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/04\/en\/241104_E3SU_56921595_56921660_94000_051658_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":94000,"filesizeBytes":17995492,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84011001","84012007","84031001","84032001","84111001","84112001","84131001","84132012","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["a_and_e_television","aggregated_all_moderate_content","arts_and_entertainment","business","business_general","law_government_and_politics","law_government_and_politics_general","personal_finance","personal_finance_stocks","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/04\/pro-eu-incumbent-maia-sandu-re-elected-to-second-term-as-president-of-moldova","lastModified":1730701653},{"id":2669290,"cid":8829592,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241103_E3SU_56919952","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA ELEX EVENING","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Incumbent Maia Sandu has slim lead in Moldova's presidential run-off","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Sandu has slim lead in Moldova's presidential run-off","titleListing2":"Incumbent Maia Sandu has slim lead in Moldova's presidential run-off","leadin":"Pro-EU president Maia Sandu takes lead ahead of Russia-friendly candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo with almost 91% of the vote counted.","summary":"Pro-EU president Maia Sandu takes lead ahead of Russia-friendly candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo with almost 91% of the vote counted.","keySentence":"","url":"incumbent-maia-sandu-has-slim-lead-in-moldovas-presidential-run-off","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/03\/incumbent-maia-sandu-has-slim-lead-in-moldovas-presidential-run-off","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldovans voted in a critical presidential runoff on Sunday, where pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu faced off against a Russia-friendly challenger. \n\nSandu has a slim lead - 50.47% - over Alexandr Stoianoglo who has slipped behind to 49.53% with 90.90% of the votes counted.\n\nThis election has been marred by allegations of voter fraud, electoral interference, and intimidation, raising concerns about the state of democracy in an EU candidate country.\n\nIn the first round on October 20, Sandu received 42% of the vote but did not secure an outright majority. This left her to face Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, who exceeded expectations by garnering nearly 26% in the first round.\n\nMoldovan police monitoring the polls on Sunday said they had \u201creasonable evidence\u201d of organised voter transportation, which is illegal under the country's electoral code, reportedly occurring both within the country and overseas.\n\nAuthorities are currently investigating and collecting evidence related to air transport activities from Russia to Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.\n\nAccording to police, \"Such measures are taken to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure that every citizen\u2019s vote is cast freely without undue pressure or influence.\"\n\nPosting on social media platform X, the president's national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru, expressed concern over a potential result sabotage, writing: \"We are seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process.\"\n\nSandu, meanwhile, urged Moldovans to defend the country's independence by voting.\n\nAfter casting her ballot in Chisinau, Sandu said: \"Today, more than ever, we must be united, keep our peace, keep our vote, keep our independence.\"\n\n\"Thieves want to buy our vote, thieves want to buy our country, but the power of the people is infinitely greater,\" she told reporters.\n\nStoianoglo, meanwhile, insisted that neither he nor the Socialist Party were involved in vote-buying and claimed he has no connections with the Kremlin.\n\nMoldova's prime minister, Dorin Recean, said that people across the country had received \"anonymous death threats via phone calls\", calling it \"an extreme attack\" to scare voters.\n\n\"These acts of intimidation have only one purpose: to create panic and fear,\" Recean said in a statement. \"I assure you that state institutions will ensure order and protect citizens.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldovans voted in a critical presidential runoff on Sunday, where pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu faced off against a Russia-friendly challenger. <\/p>\n<p>Sandu has a slim lead - 50.47% - over Alexandr Stoianoglo who has slipped behind to 49.53% with 90.90% of the votes counted.<\/p>\n<p>This election has been marred by allegations of voter fraud, electoral interference, and intimidation, raising concerns about the state of democracy in an EU candidate country.<\/p>\n<p>In the first round on October 20, Sandu received 42% of the vote but did not secure an outright majority. This left her to face Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, who exceeded expectations by garnering nearly 26% in the first round.<\/p>\n<p>Moldovan police monitoring the polls on Sunday said they had \u201creasonable evidence\u201d of organised voter transportation, which is illegal under the country's electoral code, reportedly occurring both within the country and overseas.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities are currently investigating and collecting evidence related to air transport activities from Russia to Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8828496\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//11//02//moldovas-presidential-runoff-threatened-by-concerns-over-voter-fraud/"> Moldova's presidential runoff threatened by concerns over voter fraud<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>According to police, \"Such measures are taken to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure that every citizen\u2019s vote is cast freely without undue pressure or influence.\"<\/p>\n<p>Posting on social media platform X, the president's national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru, expressed concern over a potential result sabotage, writing: \"We are seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8822746\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//10//30//existential-threat-moscows-shadow-looms-over-the-eus-enlargement-drive/">/u2018Existential threat\u2019: Moscow\u2019s shadow looms over the EU's enlargement drive<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sandu, meanwhile, urged Moldovans to defend the country's independence by voting.<\/p>\n<p>After casting her ballot in Chisinau, Sandu said: \"Today, more than ever, we must be united, keep our peace, keep our vote, keep our independence.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Thieves want to buy our vote, thieves want to buy our country, but the power of the people is infinitely greater,\" she told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>Stoianoglo, meanwhile, insisted that neither he nor the Socialist Party were involved in vote-buying and claimed he has no connections with the Kremlin.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova's prime minister, Dorin Recean, said that people across the country had received \"anonymous death threats via phone calls\", calling it \"an extreme attack\" to scare voters.<\/p>\n<p>\"These acts of intimidation have only one purpose: to create panic and fear,\" Recean said in a statement. \"I assure you that state institutions will ensure order and protect citizens.\" <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1730644675,"updatedAt":1730670848,"publishedAt":1730669139,"firstPublishedAt":1730669139,"lastPublishedAt":1730669139,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/95\/92\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_79a35f6d-be59-5bda-9558-448ed409beaa-8829592.jpg","altText":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu leaves after speaking to the media during a press briefing after the polls closed for the presidential election runoff, 3 November, 2024","caption":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu leaves after speaking to the media during a press briefing after the polls closed for the presidential election runoff, 3 November, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":6519,"height":3666}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":7942,"slug":"presidential-elections","urlSafeValue":"presidential-elections","title":"Presidential elections","titleRaw":"Presidential elections"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":22880,"slug":"threat","urlSafeValue":"threat","title":"threat","titleRaw":"threat"},{"id":9285,"slug":"electoral-fraud","urlSafeValue":"electoral-fraud","title":"Electoral fraud","titleRaw":"Electoral fraud"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2668914},{"id":2668478},{"id":2659828}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"guq6Qo2oU8o","dailymotionId":"x98jj0y"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/03\/en\/241103_E3SU_56919952_56919977_60000_225013_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":8011014,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/03\/en\/241103_E3SU_56919952_56919977_60000_225013_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11859718,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/03\/incumbent-maia-sandu-has-slim-lead-in-moldovas-presidential-run-off","lastModified":1730669139},{"id":2668914,"cid":8829014,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241103_E3SU_56917305","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldovans choose president in decisive runoff against backdrop of voter fraud concerns","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldovans head to polls for presidential runoff amid fraud concerns","titleListing2":"Moldovans choose president in decisive runoff against backdrop of voter fraud concerns","leadin":"Voters are choosing between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, who favours closer ties with Russia.","summary":"Voters are choosing between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, who favours closer ties with Russia.","keySentence":"","url":"polls-open-in-moldovas-presidential-run-off-against-backdrop-of-voter-fraud-concerns","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/03\/polls-open-in-moldovas-presidential-run-off-against-backdrop-of-voter-fraud-concerns","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldovans head to the polls in a decisive second-round presidential election, casting their votes to decide who will lead the country. \n\nDuring the first round of voting on 20 October, incumbent Maia Sandu led with 42% of the vote but failed to win an outright majority, while Russia-friendly former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo took 26%.\n\nSince no candidate received more than the required 50% plus one vote for an outright win, Moldovans head back to the polls in an election widely seen as a barometer of whether the country tilts closer to Russia or looks towards the West.\n\nOn the same day as the first round presidential election, the country also held a national referendum on whether to write the aim of EU membership into the country\u2019s constitution.\n\nThat passed by a razor-thin majority of 50.35%, bolstered in the final hours of counting by the overseas vote.\n\nHowever, that result was overshadowed by allegations of a Moscow-backed vote-buying scheme.\n\nAfter the two October votes, Moldovan authorities reported that a vote-buying scheme was orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch living in Russia.\n\nShor was convicted in absentia in 2023 for fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that approximately \u20ac35,8 million was funnelled to over 130,000 voters through a Russian bank that is under international sanctions between September and October.\n\nShor has denied any wrongdoing.\n\n\u201cThese people who go to Moscow, the so-called government-in-exile of Ilan Shor, who come with very large sums of money, are left to roam free,\u201d said Octavian Ticu, a candidate in the presidential race who was considered an outsider.\n\nTicu stated it was clear that the voting process would be neither fair nor democratic, and he was the only candidate from the first round to support Sandu in the runoff.\n\nVoters from the breakaway region of Transnistria, which has a heavy Russian military presence, are allowed to vote in Moldova. Ticu warned that if Russian troops move to the port city of Odesa, it could lead to Moldova's occupation.\n\nIn Gagauzia, where EU support was low, a doctor was arrested for allegedly coercing elderly residents to vote for a specific candidate, with police uncovering financial evidence linked to a sanctioned Russian bank.\n\nAnti-corruption efforts have led to significant cash seizures and investigations into electoral bribery involving multiple state employees.\n\nBoth elections revealed serious flaws in Moldova's judiciary and raised doubts among pro-Moscow factions about the electoral legitimacy.\n\nIgor Dodon, a former president aligned with Russia, rejected the referendum results and criticised Sandu\u2019s leadership.\n\nSandu acknowledged that fraud and foreign interference marred the elections, warning that without judicial reforms, Moldova's future could be jeopardised.\n\nAs one of Europe's poorest nations facing high inflation, experts note that many Moldovans might succumb to electoral corruption for small sums.\n\nMoldova watchers warn that Moscow may focus its efforts on the upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections.\n\nWith decreasing support for the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity, there is concern that it may struggle to maintain its majority in the 101-seat legislature.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldovans head to the polls in a decisive second-round presidential election, casting their votes to decide who will lead the country. <\/p>\n<p>During the first round of voting on 20 October, incumbent Maia Sandu led with 42% of the vote but failed to win an outright majority, while Russia-friendly former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo took 26%.<\/p>\n<p>Since no candidate received more than the required 50% plus one vote for an outright win, Moldovans head back to the polls in an election widely seen as a barometer of whether the country tilts closer to Russia or looks towards the West.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//82//90//14//808x454_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg/" alt=\"Election workers prepare ballots at a polling station in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 2 November, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/384x216_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/640x360_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/750x422_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/828x466_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/1080x608_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/1920x1080_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Election workers prepare ballots at a polling station in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 2 November, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Screenshot from EBU video 2024_10268634<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On the same day as the first round presidential election, the country also held a national referendum on whether to write the aim of EU membership into the country\u2019s constitution.<\/p>\n<p>That passed by a razor-thin majority of 50.35%, bolstered in the final hours of counting by the overseas vote.<\/p>\n<p>However, that result was overshadowed by allegations of a Moscow-backed vote-buying scheme.<\/p>\n<p>After the two October votes, Moldovan authorities reported that a vote-buying scheme was orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch living in Russia.<\/p>\n<p>Shor was convicted in absentia in 2023 for fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that approximately \u20ac35,8 million was funnelled to over 130,000 voters through a Russian bank that is under international sanctions between September and October.<\/p>\n<p>Shor has denied any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese people who go to Moscow, the so-called government-in-exile of Ilan Shor, who come with very large sums of money, are left to roam free,\u201d said Octavian Ticu, a candidate in the presidential race who was considered an outsider.<\/p>\n<div data-oembed-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DB4HW7otwj6\/?img_index=1\" class=\"widget widget--type-instagram widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DB4HW7otwj6\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//DB4HW7otwj6//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//DB4HW7otwj6//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by CEC Moldova (@cec.moldova)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"////platform.instagram.com//en_US//embeds.js/">/n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Ticu stated it was clear that the voting process would be neither fair nor democratic, and he was the only candidate from the first round to support Sandu in the runoff.<\/p>\n<p>Voters from the breakaway region of Transnistria, which has a heavy Russian military presence, are allowed to vote in Moldova. Ticu warned that if Russian troops move to the port city of Odesa, it could lead to Moldova's occupation.<\/p>\n<p>In Gagauzia, where EU support was low, a doctor was arrested for allegedly coercing elderly residents to vote for a specific candidate, with police uncovering financial evidence linked to a sanctioned Russian bank.<\/p>\n<p>Anti-corruption efforts have led to significant cash seizures and investigations into electoral bribery involving multiple state employees.<\/p>\n<p>Both elections revealed serious flaws in Moldova's judiciary and raised doubts among pro-Moscow factions about the electoral legitimacy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665827881227981\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//82//90//14//808x539_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg/" alt=\"A woman walks past posters displaying Alexandr Stoianoglo, presidential candidate of the Socialists&#39; Party of Moldova, 1 November, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/384x256_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/640x427_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/750x500_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/828x552_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/1080x720_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/1200x800_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/1920x1280_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A woman walks past posters displaying Alexandr Stoianoglo, presidential candidate of the Socialists&#39; Party of Moldova, 1 November, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Igor Dodon, a former president aligned with Russia, rejected the referendum results and criticised Sandu\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Sandu acknowledged that fraud and foreign interference marred the elections, warning that without judicial reforms, Moldova's future could be jeopardised.<\/p>\n<p>As one of Europe's poorest nations facing high inflation, experts note that many Moldovans might succumb to electoral corruption for small sums.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova watchers warn that Moscow may focus its efforts on the upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections.<\/p>\n<p>With decreasing support for the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity, there is concern that it may struggle to maintain its majority in the 101-seat legislature.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1730585906,"updatedAt":1730644023,"publishedAt":1730609811,"firstPublishedAt":1730609811,"lastPublishedAt":1730643691,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d8139bd4-bba6-553b-a2b6-9c071491855c-8829014.jpg","altText":"A woman prepares to cast her vote during a presidential election runoff, in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.","caption":"A woman prepares to cast her vote during a presidential election runoff, in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":4088,"height":2300},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_96c0f977-38f9-5e02-bcee-1bdb9c257704-8829014.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3974,"height":2649},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/90\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_eb0adc93-928d-57c3-b502-0941a2ff9445-8829014.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":14156,"slug":"eastern-europe","urlSafeValue":"eastern-europe","title":"Eastern Europe","titleRaw":"Eastern Europe"},{"id":3289,"slug":"chisinau","urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau","titleRaw":"Chisinau"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"instagram","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2665856},{"id":2659330},{"id":2669290}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"Dkcpvucvc9I","dailymotionId":"x98i4gk"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/03\/en\/241103_E3SU_56917305_56919356_60000_125943_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":7661287,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/03\/en\/241103_E3SU_56917305_56919356_60000_125943_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11680487,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122006","80222006","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_and_medium_risk","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/03\/polls-open-in-moldovas-presidential-run-off-against-backdrop-of-voter-fraud-concerns","lastModified":1730643691},{"id":2668478,"cid":8828496,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241102_E3SU_56914732","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"PREVIEW MOLDOVA RUN-OFF","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":" Moldova's presidential runoff threatened by concerns over voter fraud","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldovans are voting in a pivotal presidential runoff","titleListing2":" Moldova's presidential runoff threatened by concerns over voter fraud","leadin":"Moldovan voters are choosing in their presidential elections between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, who favors closer ties with Russia, this Sunday.","summary":"Moldovan voters are choosing in their presidential elections between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, who favors closer ties with Russia, this Sunday.","keySentence":"","url":"moldovas-presidential-runoff-threatened-by-concerns-over-voter-fraud","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/02\/moldovas-presidential-runoff-threatened-by-concerns-over-voter-fraud","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"On Sunday, Moldovan voters will choose their next president. During the first round on October 20th, Sandu led with 42% of the vote but failed to win an outright majority, while Stoianoglo, a Russia-friendly former prosecutor general, received 26%. \n\nSince no candidate received more than 50% of the votes, they face a runoff election viewed as a choice between geopolitical opposites.\n\nOn the same day, the country held a national referendum, and Moldovans voted by a razor-thin majority of 50.35% in favor of securing a path toward EU membership. However, the result was overshadowed by allegations of a Moscow-backed vote-buying scheme.\n\nAfter the two October votes, Moldovan authorities reported that a vote-buying scheme was orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch living in Russia. Shor was convicted in absentia in 2023 for fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that approximately \u20ac35,8 million was funneled to over 130,000 voters through a Russian bank that is under international sanctions between September and October. Shor has denied any involvement in wrongdoings.\n\n\u201cThese people who go to Moscow, the so-called government-in-exile of Ilan Shor, who come with very large sums of money, are left to roam free,\u201d said Ticu, a candidate in the presidential race who was considered a long shot.\n\nTicu stated it was clear that the voting process would be neither fair nor democratic, and he was the only candidate from the first round to support Sandu in the runoff. Voters from the breakaway region of Transnistria, which has a heavy Russian military presence, are allowed to vote in Moldova. Ticu warned that if Russian troops move to the port city of Odesa, it could lead to Moldova's occupation.\n\nIn Gagauzia, where EU support was low, a doctor was arrested for allegedly coercing elderly residents to vote for a specific candidate, with police uncovering financial evidence linked to a sanctioned Russian bank. Anti-corruption efforts have led to significant cash seizures and investigations into electoral bribery involving multiple state employees.\n\nBoth elections revealed serious flaws in Moldova's judiciary and raised doubts among pro-Moscow factions about the electoral legitimacy. Igor Dodon, a former president aligned with Russia, rejected the referendum results and criticised Sandu\u2019s leadership. Sandu acknowledged that fraud and foreign interference marred the elections, warning that without judicial reforms, Moldova's future could be jeopardised.\n\nAs one of Europe's poorest nations facing high inflation, experts note that many Moldovans might succumb to electoral corruption for small sums.\n\nMoldova watchers warn that Moscow may focus its efforts on the upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections. With decreasing support for the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity, there is concern that it may struggle to maintain its majority in the 101-seat legislatures on this situation.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>On Sunday, Moldovan voters will choose their next president. During the first round on October 20th, Sandu led with 42% of the vote but failed to win an outright majority, while Stoianoglo, a Russia-friendly former prosecutor general, received 26%. <\/p>\n<p>Since no candidate received more than 50% of the votes, they face a runoff election viewed as a choice between geopolitical opposites.<\/p>\n<p>On the same day, the country held a national referendum, and Moldovans voted by a razor-thin majority of 50.35% in favor of securing a path toward EU membership. However, the result was overshadowed by allegations of a Moscow-backed vote-buying scheme.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8822402\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//news//2024//10//30//moldovas-presidential-race-pro-eu-and-russia-friendly-candidates-face-off-in-crucial-runof/">Moldova's presidential race: Pro-EU and Russia-friendly candidates face off in crucial runoff<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After the two October votes, Moldovan authorities reported that a vote-buying scheme was orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch living in Russia. Shor was convicted in absentia in 2023 for fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that approximately \u20ac35,8 million was funneled to over 130,000 voters through a Russian bank that is under international sanctions between September and October. Shor has denied any involvement in wrongdoings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese people who go to Moscow, the so-called government-in-exile of Ilan Shor, who come with very large sums of money, are left to roam free,\u201d said Ticu, a candidate in the presidential race who was considered a long shot.<\/p>\n<p>Ticu stated it was clear that the voting process would be neither fair nor democratic, and he was the only candidate from the first round to support Sandu in the runoff. Voters from the breakaway region of Transnistria, which has a heavy Russian military presence, are allowed to vote in Moldova. Ticu warned that if Russian troops move to the port city of Odesa, it could lead to Moldova's occupation.<\/p>\n<p>In Gagauzia, where EU support was low, a doctor was arrested for allegedly coercing elderly residents to vote for a specific candidate, with police uncovering financial evidence linked to a sanctioned Russian bank. Anti-corruption efforts have led to significant cash seizures and investigations into electoral bribery involving multiple state employees.<\/p>\n<p>Both elections revealed serious flaws in Moldova's judiciary and raised doubts among pro-Moscow factions about the electoral legitimacy. Igor Dodon, a former president aligned with Russia, rejected the referendum results and criticised Sandu\u2019s leadership. Sandu acknowledged that fraud and foreign interference marred the elections, warning that without judicial reforms, Moldova's future could be jeopardised.<\/p>\n<p>As one of Europe's poorest nations facing high inflation, experts note that many Moldovans might succumb to electoral corruption for small sums.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova watchers warn that Moscow may focus its efforts on the upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections. With decreasing support for the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity, there is concern that it may struggle to maintain its majority in the 101-seat legislatures on this situation.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1730541165,"updatedAt":1730556412,"publishedAt":1730554344,"firstPublishedAt":1730554344,"lastPublishedAt":1730554499,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/84\/94\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8b1ba052-a96c-5779-b312-8d3113ec806c-8828494.jpg","altText":"A woman walks past posters displaying Alexandr Stoianoglo, presidential candidate of the Socialists' Party of Moldova (PSRM) in Chisinau, Moldova, Friday Nov. 1, 2024. ","caption":"A woman walks past posters displaying Alexandr Stoianoglo, presidential candidate of the Socialists' Party of Moldova (PSRM) in Chisinau, Moldova, Friday Nov. 1, 2024. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":7942,"slug":"presidential-elections","urlSafeValue":"presidential-elections","title":"Presidential elections","titleRaw":"Presidential elections"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2665954},{"id":2665856},{"id":2669290}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"Cce3xqVKdeY","dailymotionId":"x98h2s2"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/02\/en\/241102_E3SU_56914732_56914770_15360_134324_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":15360,"filesizeBytes":9961299,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/11\/02\/en\/241102_E3SU_56914732_56914770_15360_134324_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":15360,"filesizeBytes":14980435,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84011001","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","arts_and_entertainment","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/11\/02\/moldovas-presidential-runoff-threatened-by-concerns-over-voter-fraud","lastModified":1730554499},{"id":2665856,"cid":8822402,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241030_E3SU_56886508","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Moldova Presidential Election","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldova's presidential race: Pro-EU and Russia-friendly candidates face off in crucial runoff","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Sandu and Stoianoglo face off in crucial Moldova presidential runoff","titleListing2":"Moldova set for tight presidential runoff that could benefit Russia","leadin":"Moldovan voters to choose between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Aleksandr Stoianoglo, who favours closer ties with Russia.","summary":"Moldovan voters to choose between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Aleksandr Stoianoglo, who favours closer ties with Russia.","keySentence":"","url":"moldovas-presidential-race-pro-eu-and-russia-friendly-candidates-face-off-in-crucial-runof","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/2024\/10\/30\/moldovas-presidential-race-pro-eu-and-russia-friendly-candidates-face-off-in-crucial-runof","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"While much of Europe is focused on the final week of the razor-thin race for the White House, another significant presidential election is unfolding closer to home in Moldova.\n\nMoldova's election runoff on Sunday is between Maia Sandu, the pro-Western incumbent who has pushed strongly for greater EU integration, and Alexandr Stoianoglo, a Russia-friendly former chief prosecutor seeking closer ties with Moscow.\n\nThe first round of the presidential race in the country of 3 million was held on 20 October alongside a referendum on EU membership. \n\nA tiny majority of 50.46% voted in favour of adding a clause to the Moldovan constitution defining EU membership as a goal. Earlier opinion polls had put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%.\n\nThe vote, which some analysts saw as a referendum on Sandu\u2019s premiership, was marred by allegations of Russian interference, including vote-buying. In the aftermath, the Moldovan president tweeted: \u201cWe fought fairly in an unfair fight \u2014 and we won.\u201d\n\nThe European Commission and the White House have warned about Russian meddling in Moldovan politics in the wake of the referendum and ahead of the runoff. \n\nIn the first round of the presidential election, Sandu topped the poll with 42% of votes cast, followed by Stoianoglo with 26%. To win outright, 50% of the votes was required.\n\nBoth candidates outperformed their polling averages, with Stoianoglo gaining almost triple what polls had predicted. Sandu is backed by the centre-right and pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), while Stoianoglo has the support of the pro-Kremlin Socialist Party (PRSM). \n\nDrifting east?\n\nA total of 11 candidates contested the first round, which had a 51% turnout. Although Sandu gained the most votes of any candidate, pro-European politicians won less than 50% of ballots cast overall, with 650,000. \n\nMeanwhile, candidates who spoke in favour of Russia or asserted their independence received a total of 850,000 votes. \n\nAnalysts suggested that reports of Russian interference should not distract from the fact that Moldovan voters have expressed widespread frustrations with Sandu. Her four-year term has included the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, as well as Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.\n\nThese factors led to a major economic fallout in Moldova, which saw its economy contract following the invasion, and inflation reached a high of almost 35%. Sandu\u2019s disapproval rating remains much higher than her rival\u2019s.\n\nThis Sunday's runoff will be closely watched in Brussels following last week's election in Georgia, another former Soviet country with aspirations of joining the EU. \n\nA bitter spat is ongoing in Georgia between the pro-European President Salome Zourabichvili and the ruling Georgia Dream (GD) government over alleged Kremlin interference in last weekend's parliamentary elections, in which GD claimed victory.\n\nThe vote was seen by many Georgians as a choice between continuing to support the GD or seeking closer integration with the EU.\n\nThe final countdown\n\nAs the Moldovan runoff race enters its final few days, both candidates are frantically making their pitches to the electorate, with many voters still undecided.\n\nSandu is trying to reach across the aisle, and appeal to some more Russophile voters. \n\nIn a video released online, she accused Russia of promoting Stoianoglo over other politically aligned candidates, saying: \"If votes were not stolen, Renato Usat\u00eei would have been my opponent,\u201d mentioning another pro-Moscow candidate. Sandu concluded by stating: \u201cLet's join forces.\"\n\nStoianoglo has been trying to walk a political tightrope, presenting himself as both pro-European, but also open to closer ties with Moscow. However, in the final week of campaigning, he has tended towards the latter. \n\nSpeaking to local pro-Kremlin, Russian-language press, he stated that he \u201cdidn\u2019t see any difference between the attitude towards the elections\u201d of Russia and the EU, before adding: \u201cI would even say that [the EU] had a more aggressive policy\u201d.\n\nIn the same interview, Stoianoglo also took aim at NGOs, calling them \"vassals of the current government\u201d and questioning foreign funding. \n\nHis comments are similar to those of leaders in Georgia, who introduced a \u201cforeign agents\u201d bill similar to the one in Russia, labelling NGOs with foreign funding as pursuing the interests of a foreign power.\n\nDuring a heated TV debate on Sunday, Sandu also accused Stoianoglo of corruption over his decision as chief prosecutor in 2020 to suspend the 18-year prison sentence of businessman Veaceslav Platon for fraud and money laundering. \n\nStoianoglo was alleged to have a long-term friendship with Platon, which caused a scandal at the time and led to Sandu firing him from his position as chief prosecutor. Stoianoglo denies the allegations.\n\nEU leaders are concerned with the fairness of Sunday\u2019s vote and are pushing for greater transparency. Observers of Moldovan politics believe that purported Russian interference could damage Moldova\u2019s chances of EU accession, even if Sandu wins.\n\nIn a last-ditch attempt to push for fair elections, Sandu appealed directly to the county\u2019s local mayors in a televised address. \u201cOnly together, only if each mayor mobilises their community, can we save the Republic of Moldova,\" she said.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>While much of Europe is focused on the final week of the razor-thin race for the White House, another significant presidential election is unfolding closer to home in Moldova.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova's election runoff on Sunday is between Maia Sandu, the pro-Western incumbent who has pushed strongly for greater EU integration, and Alexandr Stoianoglo, a Russia-friendly former chief prosecutor seeking closer ties with Moscow.<\/p>\n<p>The first round of the presidential race in the country of 3 million was held on 20 October alongside a referendum on EU membership. <\/p>\n<p>A tiny majority of 50.46% <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//10//21//moldova-eu-vote-too-close-to-call-as-president-sandu-claims-moscow-meddled/">voted in favour of adding a clause to the Moldovan constitution defining EU membership as a goal. Earlier opinion polls had put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%.<\/p>\n<p>The vote, which some analysts saw as a referendum on <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//10//20//polls-open-across-moldova-as-voters-decide-on-eu-membership-in-crucial-referendum/">Sandu/u2019s premiership, was marred by allegations of Russian interference, including vote-buying. In the aftermath, the Moldovan president tweeted: \u201cWe fought fairly in an unfair fight \u2014 and we won.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//82//24//02//808x539_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg/" alt=\"A poster of Aleksandr Stoianoglo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/384x256_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/640x427_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/750x500_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/828x552_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/1080x720_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/1200x800_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/1920x1281_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A poster of Aleksandr Stoianoglo<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The European Commission and the White House have warned about Russian meddling in Moldovan politics in the wake of the referendum and ahead of the runoff. <\/p>\n<p>In the first round of the presidential election, Sandu topped the poll with 42% of votes cast, followed by Stoianoglo with 26%. To win outright, 50% of the votes was required.<\/p>\n<p>Both candidates outperformed their polling averages, with Stoianoglo gaining almost triple what polls had predicted. Sandu is backed by the centre-right and pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), while Stoianoglo has the support of the pro-Kremlin Socialist Party (PRSM). <\/p>\n<h2>Drifting east?<\/h2><p>A total of 11 candidates contested the first round, which had a 51% turnout. Although Sandu gained the most votes of any candidate, pro-European politicians won less than 50% of ballots cast overall, with 650,000. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, candidates who spoke in favour of Russia or asserted their independence received a total of 850,000 votes. <\/p>\n<p>Analysts suggested that reports of Russian interference should not distract from the fact that Moldovan voters have expressed widespread frustrations with Sandu. Her four-year term has included the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, as well as Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>These factors led to a major economic fallout in Moldova, which saw its economy contract following the invasion, and inflation reached a high of almost 35%. Sandu\u2019s disapproval rating remains much higher than her rival\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>This Sunday's runoff will be closely watched in Brussels following last week's election in Georgia, another former Soviet country with aspirations of joining the EU. <\/p>\n<p>A bitter spat is ongoing in Georgia between the pro-European President Salome Zourabichvili and the ruling Georgia Dream (GD) government over alleged Kremlin interference in last weekend's <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//10//28//georgian-president-calls-for-protests-after-ruling-party-wins-disputed-election/">parliamentary elections,<\/a> in which GD claimed victory.<\/p>\n<p>The vote was seen by many Georgians as a choice between continuing to support the GD or seeking closer integration with the EU.<\/p>\n<h2>The final countdown<\/h2><p>As the Moldovan runoff race enters its final few days, both candidates are frantically making their pitches to the electorate, with many voters still undecided.<\/p>\n<p>Sandu is trying to reach across the aisle, and appeal to some more Russophile voters. <\/p>\n<p>In a video released online, she accused Russia of promoting Stoianoglo over other politically aligned candidates, saying: \"If votes were not stolen, Renato Usat\u00eei would have been my opponent,\u201d mentioning another pro-Moscow candidate. Sandu concluded by stating: \u201cLet's join forces.\"<\/p>\n<p>Stoianoglo has been trying to walk a political tightrope, presenting himself as both pro-European, but also open to closer ties with Moscow. However, in the final week of campaigning, he has tended towards the latter. <\/p>\n<p>Speaking to local pro-Kremlin, Russian-language press, he stated that he \u201cdidn\u2019t see any difference between the attitude towards the elections\u201d of Russia and the EU, before adding: \u201cI would even say that [the EU] had a more aggressive policy\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//82//24//02//808x539_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg/" alt=\"A child goes with family to the polling station\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/384x256_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/640x427_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/750x500_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/828x552_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/1080x720_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/1200x800_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/1920x1281_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A child goes with family to the polling station<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the same interview, Stoianoglo also took aim at NGOs, calling them \"vassals of the current government\u201d and questioning foreign funding. <\/p>\n<p>His comments are similar to those of leaders in Georgia, who introduced a \u201cforeign agents\u201d bill similar to the one in Russia, labelling NGOs with foreign funding as pursuing the interests of a foreign power.<\/p>\n<p>During a heated TV debate on Sunday, Sandu also accused Stoianoglo of corruption over his decision as chief prosecutor in 2020 to suspend the 18-year prison sentence of businessman Veaceslav Platon for fraud and money laundering. <\/p>\n<p>Stoianoglo was alleged to have a long-term friendship with Platon, which caused a scandal at the time and led to Sandu firing him from his position as chief prosecutor. Stoianoglo denies the allegations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8804602,8803422\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//10//21//moldovas-president-alleges-vote-buying-tainted-eu-referendum-results/">Moldova president alleges vote-buying tainted EU referendum results<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//10//23//are-moldova-and-georgia-the-next-ukraine-radio-schuman/">Are Moldova and Georgia the next Ukraine? | Radio Schuman<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>EU leaders are concerned with the fairness of Sunday\u2019s vote and are pushing for greater transparency. Observers of Moldovan politics believe that purported Russian interference could damage Moldova\u2019s chances of EU accession, even if Sandu wins.<\/p>\n<p>In a last-ditch attempt to push for fair elections, Sandu appealed directly to the county\u2019s local mayors in a televised address. \u201cOnly together, only if each mayor mobilises their community, can we save the Republic of Moldova,\" she said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1730277740,"updatedAt":1730297986,"publishedAt":1730297050,"firstPublishedAt":1730297050,"lastPublishedAt":1730297050,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_11ff5ee3-049b-586d-bb8c-2590b088bcda-8822402.jpg","altText":"Election officials attend to a voting station in Hrusevo, 20 October 2024","caption":"Election officials attend to a voting station in Hrusevo, 20 October 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_85ba5ace-bcd2-502f-8a30-d4da11583636-8822402.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/82\/24\/02\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_70ab6b4c-f24c-504e-a67f-b0d41a8d11f8-8822402.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3236,"urlSafeValue":"holyoke","title":"Gregory Holyoke","twitter":"@GregoryHolyoke"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":9331,"slug":"european-politics","urlSafeValue":"european-politics","title":"European politics","titleRaw":"European politics"},{"id":9359,"slug":"russian-politics","urlSafeValue":"russian-politics","title":"Russian politics","titleRaw":"Russian politics"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"},{"id":4470,"slug":"kremlin","urlSafeValue":"kremlin","title":"Kremlin","titleRaw":"Kremlin"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2666280},{"id":2668478},{"id":2668914}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"},{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122006","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/30\/moldovas-presidential-race-pro-eu-and-russia-friendly-candidates-face-off-in-crucial-runof","lastModified":1730297050},{"id":2659924,"cid":8804866,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241022_E3SU_56820960","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA: RUSSIAN HYBRID WAR PLAYBOOK","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"What does Russia's hybrid war playbook plan for Moldova?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"What's inside Russia's hybrid war playbook for Moldova?","titleListing2":"What's in Russia's hybrid war playbook for Moldova?","leadin":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu said the authorities have clear evidence of malign interference and \"fraud of unprecedented proportions\" at the vote on October 20. With the presidential elections now going into the second round, what can the Kremlin do within the next 10 days to influence the vote?","summary":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu said the authorities have clear evidence of malign interference and \"fraud of unprecedented proportions\" at the vote on October 20. With the presidential elections now going into the second round, what can the Kremlin do within the next 10 days to influence the vote?","keySentence":"","url":"whats-does-russias-hybrid-war-playbook-plan-for-moldova","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/2024\/10\/22\/whats-does-russias-hybrid-war-playbook-plan-for-moldova","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"While Moldovans who went to the polling stations on Sunday opted for their country's EU future by the slimmest of margins, the Kremlin \u2014\u00a0which has long been vying to bring the eastern European country under its sphere of influence \u2014\u00a0has hardly been deterred.\n\nIf anything, Moldovan authorities have been adamant in their claims that Russia and pro-Russian forces have made multiple attempts to influence the results of the vote and consequently destabilise it.\n\nThe director of Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service reported last week that Moldovan authorities discovered that foreign instructors affiliated with the Wagner Group had trained a group of about 100 young, pro-Russian Moldovans at \"guerilla camps\" in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.\n\n\"The training program included, but was not limited to, tactics to challenge law enforcement, the use of weapons and objects to cause non-lethal injuries,\" Alexandru Musteata said at a press conference last Thursday. \n\nThey were also trained in \u201cmaking and using incendiary devices and improved explosive devices, and handling drones with special explosive or incendiary attachments,\u201d he added.\n\nThe US-based Institute for the Study of War think tank also reported that, according to the Moldovan police, over 300 Moldovans learned about protest tactics at a training ground near Moscow and that Kremlin-friendly politician Ilan Shor's Eurasia non-profit organisation funded the training.\u00a0\n\nThe Kremlin authorities may plan to ignite protests within the next ten days, before the second round of the presidential election on 3 November, according to ISW.\n\nChristina Harward, a Russia researcher at the ISW, told Euronews that Russia intends to continue trying to destabilise Moldova's society. \n\n\"We saw indicators that Russia was trying to launch protests in Moldova \u2014 and turn those protests violent. Moscow may still try to use its proxies to foment violent protests in Moldova in the coming weeks,\" Harward said.\n\n\"The Kremlin will very likely use its proxies in Moldova over the next two weeks to try to influence the second round of voting. Moscow is also not going to accept the results of the referendum easily, and the Kremlin has already started to claim that voting was not free and fair\", she explained. \n\nKremlin officials have already claimed that Moldovan authorities falsified the results of the election and the referendum. \n\nRussian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that Moldovan authorities used \"totalitarian\" methods during the election campaign and that the number of votes supporting the referendum \"inexplicably\" began to increase during the later stages of counting. \n\nZakharova also claimed that the West is trying to turn Moldova into a \"Russophobic NATO appendage deprived of sovereignty.\"\n\nISW's Harward says that for Moscow, this is all par for the course. \"We are also already seeing a lot of Russian mil bloggers \u2014 including some directly affiliated with the Kremlin \u2014 making similar allegations.\" \n\n\"Overall, the results of the election and referendum are not going to deter Moscow from continuing to pursue its goal of regaining influence over Moldova. We can expect the Kremlin to keep trying to prevent Moldova's EU accession in the coming years.\"\n\nWhy would Russia interfere in Moldova?\u00a0\n\nMoldova is widely seen in Moscow as part of Vladimir Putin's definition of the \"Russian World\" or \"Russkiy Mir\" \u2014 the notion often used by Putin to justify Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine. \n\nPutin claims it includes the territories of Ancient Rus' or Kyivan Rus, the former Russian Empire, and the ex-Soviet Union.\u00a0\n\nAn international consortium of media outlets,\u00a0including The Kyiv Independent, released an investigation last year outlining the Kremlin's plans to gain vast control over Moldova by 2030. \n\nAccording to the leaked documents, Russia\u2019s key goals were to ensure that Moldovan policymakers and society, in general, have a negative attitude toward NATO and that the country has a strong presence of pro-Russian influence groups in politics and the economy. \n\nMost of Russia's short-term goals meant to be achieved by 2022 were derailed by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which brought Moldova closer to the European Union.\n\nNotably, the leaked document envisioned Transnistria as a breakaway region with Russian troops stationed there.\u00a0\n\nSince 1992, Moscow has maintained about 1,500 troops in the pro-Russian breakaway area of Transnistria. \u00a0\n\nTransnistria was a key element for Russia's campaign, including its attempts to bride the voters, Harward explained. \n\n\"Transnistria was key to Moscow's recent efforts to bypass Western sanctions on Russian financial institutions and get Russian money into Moldova,\" she explained. \n\nKremlin proxies in Moldova were bribing Moldovan voters with Russian money, but the Moldovans could only receive the cash through a complex series of bank transfers \u2014\u00a0including through banks in Transnistria.\"\n\nHow can Russia destabilise Moldova now?\u00a0\n\nThe ISW experts assess that Moldova in 2024 is similar to Ukraine between 2014 and February 2022, and the Kremlin has enacted elements of its hybrid war playbook in both states.\n\nTherefore, Moldova's presidential elections and the EU accession referendum are critically important for the Kremlin's efforts to maintain its influence over the country.\u00a0\n\nSpecifically, the ISW thinks that in the long term, Moscow may try to influence the parliamentary elections in the summer of next year to elect Russia-friendly politicians who can derail Moldova's EU accession. \n\nMoreover, Moscow can analyse and use the information it gathers from the October 2024 vote to better prepare its candidates.\n\nRussia can also exploit its military and security ties to Transnistria to influence future negotiations or even\u00a0to invade and occupy all of Moldova.\u00a0\n\nThe ISW states that the threat of an invasion is currently extremely low since Moscow would have to redeploy a significant number of forces, which is highly unlikely, with Russia's primary focus being currently in Ukraine.\n\n\"Military conflict is extremely unlikely in the near future. Russia does not have the forces or materiel it would need to militarily threaten Moldova right now. But these conditions can change in the future \u2014 it all depends on the battlefield situation in Ukraine,\" Harward concluded.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>While Moldovans who went to the polling stations on Sunday opted for their country's EU future by the slimmest of margins, the Kremlin \u2014\u00a0which has long been vying to bring the eastern European country under its sphere of influence \u2014\u00a0has hardly been deterred.<\/p>\n<p>If anything, Moldovan authorities have been adamant in their claims that Russia and pro-Russian forces have made multiple attempts to influence the results of the vote and consequently destabilise it.<\/p>\n<p>The director of Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service reported last week that Moldovan authorities discovered that foreign instructors affiliated with the Wagner Group had trained a group of about 100 young, pro-Russian Moldovans at \"guerilla camps\" in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n<p>\"The training program included, but was not limited to, tactics to challenge law enforcement, the use of weapons and objects to cause non-lethal injuries,\" Alexandru Musteata said at a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.facebook.com//watch//?v=540907828545453\%22>press conference<\/a> last Thursday. <\/p>\n<p>They were also trained in \u201cmaking and using incendiary devices and improved explosive devices, and handling drones with special explosive or incendiary attachments,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>The US-based Institute for the Study of War think tank also reported that, according to the Moldovan police, over 300 Moldovans learned about protest tactics at a training ground near Moscow and that Kremlin-friendly politician Ilan Shor's Eurasia non-profit organisation funded the training.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Kremlin authorities may plan to ignite protests within the next ten days, before the second round of the presidential election on 3 November, according to ISW.<\/p>\n<p>Christina Harward, a Russia researcher at the ISW, told Euronews that Russia intends to continue trying to destabilise Moldova's society. <\/p>\n<p>\"We saw indicators that Russia was trying to launch protests in Moldova \u2014 and turn those protests violent. Moscow may still try to use its proxies to foment violent protests in Moldova in the coming weeks,\" Harward said.<\/p>\n<p>\"The Kremlin will very likely use its proxies in Moldova over the next two weeks to try to influence the second round of voting. Moscow is also not going to accept the results of the referendum easily, and the Kremlin has already started to claim that voting was not free and fair\", she explained. <\/p>\n<p>Kremlin officials have already claimed that Moldovan authorities falsified the results of the election and the referendum. <\/p>\n<p>Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that Moldovan authorities used \"totalitarian\" methods during the election campaign and that the number of votes supporting the referendum \"inexplicably\" began to increase during the later stages of counting. <\/p>\n<p>Zakharova also claimed that the West is trying to turn Moldova into a \"Russophobic NATO appendage deprived of sovereignty.\"<\/p>\n<p>ISW's Harward says that for Moscow, this is all par for the course. \"We are also already seeing a lot of Russian mil bloggers \u2014 including some directly affiliated with the Kremlin \u2014 making similar allegations.\" <\/p>\n<p>\"Overall, the results of the election and referendum are not going to deter Moscow from continuing to pursue its goal of regaining influence over Moldova. We can expect the Kremlin to keep trying to prevent Moldova's EU accession in the coming years.\"<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why would Russia interfere in Moldova?<\/strong><\/h2><p>Moldova is widely seen in Moscow as part of Vladimir Putin's definition of the \"Russian World\" or \"Russkiy Mir\" \u2014 the notion often used by Putin to justify Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>Putin claims it includes the territories of Ancient Rus' or Kyivan Rus, the former Russian Empire, and the ex-Soviet Union.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>An international consortium of media outlets,\u00a0including The Kyiv Independent, released an <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////kyivindependent.com//leaked-document-exposes-kremlins-10-year-plan-to-undermine-moldova///">investigation <\/a>last year outlining the Kremlin's plans to gain vast control over Moldova by 2030. <\/p>\n<p>According to the leaked documents, Russia\u2019s key goals were to ensure that Moldovan policymakers and society, in general, have a negative attitude toward NATO and that the country has a strong presence of pro-Russian influence groups in politics and the economy. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6962890625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//06//21//48//58//808x561_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg/" alt=\"A couple walk past a billboard with portraits of honorary residents of the city in Tiraspol, 31 October 2021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/384x267_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/640x446_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/750x522_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/828x577_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/1080x752_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/1200x836_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/1920x1337_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A couple walk past a billboard with portraits of honorary residents of the city in Tiraspol, 31 October 2021<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Dmitri Lovetsky <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Most of Russia's short-term goals meant to be achieved by 2022 were derailed by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which brought Moldova closer to the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, the leaked document envisioned Transnistria as a breakaway region with Russian troops stationed there.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Since 1992, Moscow has maintained about 1,500 troops in the pro-Russian breakaway area of Transnistria. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Transnistria was a key element for Russia's campaign, including its attempts to bride the voters, Harward explained. <\/p>\n<p>\"Transnistria was key to Moscow's recent efforts to bypass Western sanctions on Russian financial institutions and get Russian money into Moldova,\" she explained. <\/p>\n<p>Kremlin proxies in Moldova were bribing Moldovan voters with Russian money, but the Moldovans could only receive the cash through a complex series of bank transfers \u2014\u00a0including through banks in Transnistria.\"<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How can Russia destabilise Moldova now?<\/strong><\/h2><p>The ISW experts assess that Moldova in 2024 is similar to Ukraine between 2014 and February 2022, and the Kremlin has enacted elements of its hybrid war playbook in both states.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, Moldova's presidential elections and the EU accession referendum are critically important for the Kremlin's efforts to maintain its influence over the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, the ISW thinks that in the long term, Moscow may try to influence the parliamentary elections in the summer of next year to elect Russia-friendly politicians who can derail Moldova's EU accession. <\/p>\n<p>Moreover, Moscow can analyse and use the information it gathers from the October 2024 vote to better prepare its candidates.<\/p>\n<p>Russia can also exploit its military and security ties to Transnistria to influence future negotiations or even\u00a0to invade and occupy all of Moldova.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The ISW states that the threat of an invasion is currently extremely low since Moscow would have to redeploy a significant number of forces, which is highly unlikely, with Russia's primary focus being currently in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>\"Military conflict is extremely unlikely in the near future. Russia does not have the forces or materiel it would need to militarily threaten Moldova right now. But these conditions can change in the future \u2014 it all depends on the battlefield situation in Ukraine,\" Harward concluded.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1729591490,"updatedAt":1729854910,"publishedAt":1729596961,"firstPublishedAt":1729596961,"lastPublishedAt":1729854613,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/48\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c67f36be-baf2-525b-a156-4b34b7718b3d-8804866.jpg","altText":"FILE: Russian soldiers with Soviet Army Red flags march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, 4 May 2010","caption":"FILE: Russian soldiers with Soviet Army Red flags march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, 4 May 2010","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Alexander Zemlianichenko","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/06\/21\/48\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4f41b9ea-bdb2-591c-b7c4-2ce7f42a6bb1-6214858.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":713}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":598,"urlSafeValue":"vakulina","title":"Sasha Vakulina","twitter":"@sashavakulina"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"},{"id":26768,"slug":"transnistria","urlSafeValue":"transnistria","title":"Transnistria ","titleRaw":"Transnistria "}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2659330},{"id":2658924}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"yq0S2-a5_eU","dailymotionId":"x97uzk6"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/22\/en\/241022_E3SU_56820960_56825883_137040_202430_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":137040,"filesizeBytes":17016496,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/22\/en\/241022_E3SU_56820960_56825883_137040_202430_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":137040,"filesizeBytes":24457392,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"},{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122009","80222009","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","human_made_disasters_high_and_medium_risk","human_made_disasters_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/22\/whats-does-russias-hybrid-war-playbook-plan-for-moldova","lastModified":1729854613},{"id":2659330,"cid":8803422,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241021_E3SU_56814260","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA ELEX INTERFERENCE by Vincenzo","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldova president alleges vote-buying tainted EU referendum results","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldova president alleges vote-buying tainted EU referendum results","titleListing2":"Moldova's president alleges vote-buying tainted EU referendum results","leadin":"Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced an \"an assault on democracy and freedom,\" as she said criminal groups had bought Moldovan citizens' votes prior to the EU referendum on Sunday.","summary":"Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced an \"an assault on democracy and freedom,\" as she said criminal groups had bought Moldovan citizens' votes prior to the EU referendum on Sunday.","keySentence":"","url":"moldovas-president-alleges-vote-buying-tainted-eu-referendum-results","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/21\/moldovas-president-alleges-vote-buying-tainted-eu-referendum-results","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced an \"assault on democracy and freedom\" as she said criminal groups had bought Moldovan citizens' votes prior to the EU referendum on Sunday.\n\nSandu claims that \"criminal entities\" had the goal of buying 300,000 votes and that \"the state institutions documented 150,000 people being paid to vote,\" as the justice system failed to do enough to prevent vote theft and corruption.\n\nThe Moldovan leader blamed this vote-buying as the main reason for the referendum result: despite being a formal victory, the outcome is quite disappointing for the pro-EU camp, as\u00a0less than 51%\u00a0of citizens voted to enshrine EU accession in the Moldovan constitution. At the end of the counting, under 14,000 votes separated the two camps.\n\n\"There are people who genuinely do not understand what the EU is about and what this is going to bring to Moldova. And then there are people who just sold their votes,\" said Sandu during a packed press conference in Chi\u0219in\u0103u on Monday.\n\n\"In any democracy, it's normal to have people who have different views. What's not normal is to have a situation where criminal groups are bribing voters\".\n\nSandu, who did not point fingers at any specific actor, only spoke of \"dirty interference\" trying to block Moldova\u2019s path towards EU membership.\n\nDespite her claims, sources in Moldovan government told Euronews that the presidency cannot find itself evidence of electoral corruption, but has to rely on the police services and other institutions.\n\n'Unprecedented interference'\n\nAt the moment, investigations are ongoing on the network of Moldovan fugitive convicted oligarch Ilan Shor, who is under EU sanctions for attempts to destabilise Moldova. \n\n\"The persons affiliated with the criminal organization led by Shor were instructed to recruit people to participate in the electoral ballot for sums of money and to be notified on the eve of the elections through the groups on Telegram regarding the candidate to be voted for, as well as to vote with the option \u201cno\u201d in the referendum\", Moldovan police press release on 3 October said.\n\nThe OSCE's international election observation mission did not report any evidence of vote theft and corruption at the polling station. Its preliminary conclusions, however, underline various forms of manipulative interference to destabilize the country, like illicit financing of political actors, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks.\n\nMichael Gahler, a German MEP from the EPP and member of the mission, considers that \"the referendum result is only to be explained because of this massive interference,\" pointing the finger at Russia.\n\n\"We are not an investigative body. But what is in the public domain, and admitted from these structures, has to be given as a fact, I think. And there have also been multifold statements from simple citizens who said: \u2018Well, quick money for poor people? That is something that I take\", he said in an interview with Euronews.\n\nThe European Commission also said it had witnessed \"unprecedented interference\" by Russia in Moldova.\u00a0\n\nFor Thijs Reuten, a Dutch MEP who was also part of the OCSE mission, this kind of interference typically does not happen at the polling station on election day, and it can be exercised in different ways. \n\n\"There has been an investigation in the weeks and months before the election that has uncovered substantial amounts of money being moved, not illegally, every day on many occasions from Russia to Moldova.\"\n\nBeyond this relevant but still legitimate interference, there could be room for the vote-buying system. \n\n\"Some journalists went undercover in the networks that was distributing money to voters in order to to use their vote or change their vote upon request of Russian actors and their allies,\" Reuten told Euronews. \n\nA recent BBC report claims it showed Moldovan citizens from the Moscow-friendly breakaway region of Transnistria selling their votes. \n\n\"I think Maia Sandu is right to be worried about this,\" said Reuten, \"because voices are circulating about 300,000 people possibly involved in vote buying.\"\n\n\"Even if it was only half of that, only 150,000 people approached and maybe got some money in exchange for their vote, then it's mounting up to one-tenth of the total votes cast. And that is a lot.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced an \"assault on democracy and freedom\" as she said criminal groups had bought Moldovan citizens' votes prior to the EU referendum on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Sandu claims that \"criminal entities\" had the goal of buying 300,000 votes and that \"the state institutions documented 150,000 people being paid to vote,\" as the justice system failed to do enough to prevent vote theft and corruption.<\/p>\n<p>The Moldovan leader blamed this vote-buying as the main reason for the referendum result: despite being a formal victory, the outcome is quite disappointing for the pro-EU camp, as\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////pv.cec.md//cec-template-referendum-results.html/">less than 51%<\/a>\u00a0of citizens voted to enshrine EU accession in the Moldovan constitution. At the end of the counting, under 14,000 votes separated the two camps.<\/p>\n<p>\"There are people who genuinely do not understand what the EU is about and what this is going to bring to Moldova. And then there are people who just sold their votes,\" said Sandu during a packed press conference in Chi\u0219in\u0103u on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>\"In any democracy, it's normal to have people who have different views. What's not normal is to have a situation where criminal groups are bribing voters\".<\/p>\n<p>Sandu, who did not point fingers at any specific actor, only spoke of \"dirty interference\" trying to block Moldova\u2019s path towards EU membership.<\/p>\n<p>Despite her claims, sources in Moldovan government told Euronews that the presidency cannot find itself evidence of electoral corruption, but has to rely on the police services and other institutions.<\/p>\n<h2>'Unprecedented interference'<\/h2><p>At the moment, investigations are ongoing on the network of Moldovan fugitive convicted oligarch Ilan Shor, who is <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur-lex.europa.eu//legal-content//EN//TXT//PDF//?uri=CELEX:32023R1045\%22>under EU sanctions<\/a> for attempts to destabilise Moldova. <\/p>\n<p>\"The persons affiliated with the criminal organization led by Shor were instructed to recruit people to participate in the electoral ballot for sums of money and to be notified on the eve of the elections through the groups on Telegram regarding the candidate to be voted for, as well as to vote with the option \u201cno\u201d in the referendum\", Moldovan police <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////politia.md//ro//content//noi-metode-de-finantare-ilegala-unor-partide-politice-documentate-de-pa-si-ini/">press release<\/a> on 3 October said.<\/p>\n<p>The OSCE's international election observation mission did not report any evidence of vote theft and corruption at the polling station. Its <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.osce.org//files//f//documents//9//d//578815.pdf/">preliminary conclusions<\/a>, however, underline various forms of manipulative interference to destabilize the country, like illicit financing of political actors, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Gahler, a German MEP from the EPP and member of the mission, considers that \"the referendum result is only to be explained because of this massive interference,\" pointing the finger at Russia.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are not an investigative body. But what is in the public domain, and admitted from these structures, has to be given as a fact, I think. And there have also been multifold statements from simple citizens who said: \u2018Well, quick money for poor people? That is something that I take\", he said in an interview with Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission also said it had witnessed \"unprecedented interference\" by Russia in Moldova.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For Thijs Reuten, a Dutch MEP who was also part of the OCSE mission, this kind of interference typically does not happen at the polling station on election day, and it can be exercised in different ways. <\/p>\n<p>\"There has been an investigation in the weeks and months before the election that has uncovered substantial amounts of money being moved, not illegally, every day on many occasions from Russia to Moldova.\"<\/p>\n<p>Beyond this relevant but still legitimate interference, there could be room for the vote-buying system. <\/p>\n<p>\"Some journalists went undercover in the networks that was distributing money to voters in order to to use their vote or change their vote upon request of Russian actors and their allies,\" Reuten told Euronews. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8802428,8791452\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//10//16//lies-bribes-and-interference-kremlins-hybrid-war-overshadows-moldovas-eu-referendum/">Lies, bribes and interference: Kremlin\u2019s hybrid war overshadows Moldova\u2019s EU referendum<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//10//21//moldova-eu-vote-too-close-to-call-as-president-sandu-claims-moscow-meddled/">Moldova votes yes to EU membership as president Sandu claims Moscow meddled<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A recent BBC report claims it showed Moldovan citizens from the Moscow-friendly breakaway region of Transnistria selling their votes. <\/p>\n<p>\"I think Maia Sandu is right to be worried about this,\" said Reuten, \"because voices are circulating about 300,000 people possibly involved in vote buying.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Even if it was only half of that, only 150,000 people approached and maybe got some money in exchange for their vote, then it's mounting up to one-tenth of the total votes cast. And that is a lot.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1729517971,"updatedAt":1729527855,"publishedAt":1729526676,"firstPublishedAt":1729526676,"lastPublishedAt":1729526851,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/34\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7b4f94db-1c69-5a96-80fd-c97c862b222c-8803422.jpg","altText":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu leaves after delivering a speech during a press briefing after the polls closed in Chisinau, 20 October 2024","caption":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu leaves after delivering a speech during a press briefing after the polls closed in Chisinau, 20 October 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2428,"urlSafeValue":"genovese","title":"Vincenzo Genovese","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":7964,"slug":"referendum","urlSafeValue":"referendum","title":"Referendum","titleRaw":"Referendum"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2659924},{"id":2668914}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"zN_j5s_jnTM","dailymotionId":"x97s6e6"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/21\/en\/241021_E3SU_56814260_56814312_127960_175637_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":127960,"filesizeBytes":16599563,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/21\/en\/241021_E3SU_56814260_56814312_127960_175637_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":127960,"filesizeBytes":24744971,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122006","80222006","84011001","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","arts_and_entertainment","crime_high_and_medium_risk","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/21\/moldovas-president-alleges-vote-buying-tainted-eu-referendum-results","lastModified":1729526851},{"id":2658924,"cid":8802428,"versionId":8,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241021_NWWB_56810418","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA EU VOTE LATEST MONDAY MORNING","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldova votes yes to EU membership as president Sandu claims Moscow meddled","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldova votes yes to join the EU as president claims Moscow meddled","titleListing2":"Moldova EU vote too close to call as president Sandu claims Moscow interfered","leadin":"The first batch of preliminary results indicated the referendum on Moldova's EU future was a \"no,\" but a last-minute spike in votes in favour from the eastern European country's diaspora won the referendum by the slimmest of margins.","summary":"The first batch of preliminary results indicated the referendum on Moldova's EU future was a \"no,\" but a last-minute spike in votes in favour from the eastern European country's diaspora won the referendum by the slimmest of margins.","keySentence":"","url":"moldova-eu-vote-too-close-to-call-as-president-sandu-claims-moscow-meddled","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/10\/21\/moldova-eu-vote-too-close-to-call-as-president-sandu-claims-moscow-meddled","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A referendum on Moldova's EU membership bid passed by an extremely slim margin, with the difference between \"yes\" and \"no\" votes counted in hundreds.\n\nAlthough early preliminary counts showed Moldovans largely rejected the proposal to enshrine the eastern European country's EU path in its constitution, a boost of votes from Moldovans abroad gave the \"yes\" camp a much-expected boost.\n\nAccording to the latest preliminary result, with 99.5% of votes counted, the two camps remain firmly divided, with 50.3% of voters in favour and 49.7% against, but the count shows the referendum has passed.\n\nEarlier on Monday, the difference between them was a mere 744 votes \"yes\".\n\nTurnout for Sunday's vote surpassed 50%, much above the 33% needed for the referendum to be valid.\n\nMoldova\u2019s President Maia Sandu, who looked set to win the first round of a presidential race Monday, accused \u201ccriminal groups\u201d of undermining a referendum asking voters to decide whether to secure a path toward EU membership, which risked being narrowly rejected.\n\nIn early October, Moldovan law enforcement said it had uncovered a massive vote-buying scheme orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled pro-Russia oligarch who currently resides in Russia, which paid \u20ac15 million to 130,000 individuals to undermine the two ballots.\n\nShor was convicted in absentia last year and sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud and money laundering in the case of nearly \u20ac1 billion that went missing from Moldovan banks in 2014. He denied the allegations, saying \u201cthe payments are legal,\u201d and cited a right to freedom of expression. Shor\u2019s populist Russia-friendly Shor Party was declared unconstitutional last year and banned.\n\nOn Thursday, Moldovan authorities foiled another plot in which more than 100 young Moldovans received training in Moscow from private military groups on how to create civil unrest around the two votes. Some also attended \u201cmore advanced training in guerrilla camps\u201d in Serbia and Bosnia, police said, and four people were detained for 30 days.\n\nA pro-Western government has been in power in Moldova since 2021, a year after Sandu won the presidency. A parliamentary election will be held next year.\n\nMoldova, a former Soviet republic with a population of about 2.5 million, applied to join the EU in the wake of Russia\u2019s all-out invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in early 2022 and was granted candidate status that summer alongside Ukraine. Brussels agreed in June to start membership negotiations.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A referendum on Moldova's EU membership bid passed by an extremely slim margin, with the difference between \"yes\" and \"no\" votes counted in hundreds.<\/p>\n<p>Although early preliminary counts showed Moldovans largely rejected the proposal to enshrine the eastern European country's EU path in its constitution, a boost of votes from Moldovans abroad gave the \"yes\" camp a much-expected boost.<\/p>\n<p>According to the latest preliminary result, with 99.5% of votes counted, the two camps remain firmly divided, with 50.3% of voters in favour and 49.7% against, but the count shows the referendum has passed.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier on Monday, the difference between them was a mere 744 votes \"yes\".<\/p>\n<p>Turnout for Sunday's vote surpassed 50%, much above the 33% needed for the referendum to be valid.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova\u2019s President Maia Sandu, who looked set to win the first round of a presidential race Monday, accused \u201ccriminal groups\u201d of undermining a referendum asking voters to decide whether to secure a path toward EU membership, which risked being narrowly rejected.<\/p>\n<p>In early October, Moldovan law enforcement said it had uncovered a massive vote-buying scheme orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled pro-Russia oligarch who currently resides in Russia, which paid \u20ac15 million to 130,000 individuals to undermine the two ballots.<\/p>\n<p>Shor was convicted in absentia last year and sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud and money laundering in the case of nearly \u20ac1 billion that went missing from Moldovan banks in 2014. He denied the allegations, saying \u201cthe payments are legal,\u201d and cited a right to freedom of expression. Shor\u2019s populist Russia-friendly Shor Party was declared unconstitutional last year and banned.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, Moldovan authorities foiled another plot in which more than 100 young Moldovans received training in Moscow from private military groups on how to create civil unrest around the two votes. Some also attended \u201cmore advanced training in guerrilla camps\u201d in Serbia and Bosnia, police said, and four people were detained for 30 days.<\/p>\n<p>A pro-Western government has been in power in Moldova since 2021, a year after Sandu won the presidency. A parliamentary election will be held next year.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova, a former Soviet republic with a population of about 2.5 million, applied to join the EU in the wake of Russia\u2019s all-out invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in early 2022 and was granted candidate status that summer alongside Ukraine. Brussels agreed in June to start membership negotiations.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1729492760,"updatedAt":1729520289,"publishedAt":1729493826,"firstPublishedAt":1729493826,"lastPublishedAt":1729519321,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/24\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_65cddf1d-9b90-5947-a080-b807096796fb-8802428.jpg","altText":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu prepares to cast her vote, in Chisinau, 20 October 2024","caption":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu prepares to cast her vote, in Chisinau, 20 October 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":7964,"slug":"referendum","urlSafeValue":"referendum","title":"Referendum","titleRaw":"Referendum"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":107,"slug":"eu-russia","urlSafeValue":"eu-russia","title":"EU-Russia","titleRaw":"EU-Russia"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2657392},{"id":2659924},{"id":2688846}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"DlbKgI4G3Ww","dailymotionId":"x97rtce"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/21\/en\/241021_E3SU_56812453_56812484_52200_131916_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":20000,"filesizeBytes":0,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/21\/en\/241021_E3SU_56812453_56812484_52200_131916_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":20000,"filesizeBytes":0,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/10\/21\/moldova-eu-vote-too-close-to-call-as-president-sandu-claims-moscow-meddled","lastModified":1729519321},{"id":2658168,"cid":8801130,"versionId":8,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241020_E3SU_56802320","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA ELEX DAY","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Minimum turnout exceeded in Moldova's crucial EU membership vote","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Minimum turnout exceeded in Moldova's crucial EU membership vote","titleListing2":"Minimum turnout exceeded in Moldova's crucial EU membership vote","leadin":"A minimum turnout of 33% has now been exceeded in a vote on whether Moldova should enshrine in its constitution the desire to join the European Union.","summary":"A minimum turnout of 33% has now been exceeded in a vote on whether Moldova should enshrine in its constitution the desire to join the European Union.","keySentence":"","url":"polls-open-across-moldova-as-voters-decide-on-eu-membership-in-crucial-referendum","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/20\/polls-open-across-moldova-as-voters-decide-on-eu-membership-in-crucial-referendum","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldovans have started casting ballots in two key votes on Sunday that could determine whether the European Union candidate country, which neighbours Ukraine, remains on a pro-western path amid ongoing allegations that Russia has tried to undermine the electoral process.\n\nIncumbent President Maia Sandu is the favourite to secure another term in office in a presidential race in which 11 candidates are running. Voters will also choose \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d in a referendum on whether to enshrine in the country\u2019s constitution its path toward the 27-nation EU.\n\nPolls by WatchDog, a Chi\u0219in\u0103u-based think-tank show a clear majority of more than 50% support the EU path. The referendum needs a one-third turnout to be valid.\n\nPolling stations opened at 7am and are expected to close at 9pm. \n\nBy 1 pm, more than 730,000 voters \u2014 about 25% of eligible voters \u2014 had cast ballots, according to the Central Electoral Commission. A delegation of electoral observers from more than a dozen countries is helping to monitor the two polls.\n\nIf Sandu fails to win an outright majority on Sunday, a runoff will be held on Nov. 3 which could pit her against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a Russia-friendly former prosecutor general who is polling at around 10%.\n\nWherever they sit on the political spectrum, most Moldovans want higher wages and a better quality of life \u2014 but opinion is split on whether joining the EU will provide the bright future that supporters of the idea are promising.\n\nSome are sceptical that membership will deliver change, while others prefer to maintain a cordial relationship with Russia.\n\n\"Nothing good,\" said one man in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u when asked by Euronews what his expectations were.\n\n\"When in all these years they've been doing nothing. And the roads are completely deteriorated. I have not seen anybody doing a well so far, neither the current ones [politicians] nor the others. I don't see any hope for the future,\" he said.\n\nBut others think that EU membership will improve living standards and raise wages, something that\u2019s prompted many young people to leave the country in search of better salaries elsewhere.\n\n\"I think these elections go hand in hand because I will of course choose the European path and in voting for a certain president I will address issues. I think it is important to see the future of our country, to see where we are heading, and if our citizens are all on same page,\" said another voter.\n\nAn end to stagnation?\n\nThe current minimum wage in Moldova is set at 5,000 leu (\u20ac261) a month, one of the lowest in Europe.\n\nA recent analysis by the independent think tank Idis Viitorul showed that more than 200,000 Moldovans had left the country in the last four years, a record number.\n\nThe data also show that more than 40% of Moldovans living abroad are between 30 and 44 years old \u2014 and it's expected that by 2030, the number of Moldovans born abroad will be higher than those born in the country.\n\n\"For us it\u2019s crucial, it\u2019s historic momentum. And it\u2019s not only about the ability of the citizens to mobilise and take a very clear stance about our future,\" said Iulian Groza, the executive director at the Institute for European Policies and Reforms.\n\n\"The choice is clear: either Moldova adheres and continues to advance towards the West, towards accession to the European Union, or it is being dragged by Russian proxies back into the hands of Russian influence.\"\n\nPolls put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%.\n\nPresident Sandu has been a staunch advocate for EU membership and at a campaign event on Thursday urged voters to support accession.\n\n\"For about 20 years we have been talking about Moldova in the European Union and we are very close now and it is very, very important not to miss this opportunity,\" she said.\n\nMoldova was granted EU candidate status in 2022.\n\nThe spectre of interference\n\nA turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid, meaning that many Russian-backed campaigns have focused on demobilising voters.\n\nEarlier this month, Moldovan authorities warned that some \u20ac14 million in Russian funds had been funnelled directly into the accounts of 130,000 Moldovans in a bid to buy their anti-EU votes.\n\nPro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, known for spearheading the Kremlin's covert operations in Moldova, has also publicly offered money for votes against EU integration.\n\nChi\u0219in\u0103u estimates that Russia has spent as much as\u00a0\u20ac100 million in total to undermine the electoral process, including through coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to sway or suppress the vote.\n\nEarlier this week, Moldova\u2019s Prime Minister Dorin Recean advised voters to remain vigilant.\n\n\"Lately, destabilisation attempts by criminal groups, controlled from outside, have intensified,\" he said.\n\n\"It is up to you, dear citizens, to stop the attack on democracy. On Sunday you make the choice: do we go back to the past, alone, without resources for development, vulnerable to challenges, or do we go into the future, into the family of civilised countries?\"\n\nThe Central Election Commission said people will be able to cast their ballot at 2,221 polling stations - 1,957 are located across Moldova, with 234 in other countries for Moldovan citizens voting abroad.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldovans have started casting ballots in two key votes on Sunday that could determine whether the European Union candidate country, which neighbours Ukraine, remains on a pro-western path amid ongoing allegations that Russia has tried to undermine the electoral process.<\/p>\n<p>Incumbent President Maia Sandu is the favourite to secure another term in office in a presidential race in which 11 candidates are running. Voters will also choose \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d in a referendum on whether to enshrine in the country\u2019s constitution its path toward the 27-nation EU.<\/p>\n<p>Polls by WatchDog, a Chi\u0219in\u0103u-based think-tank show a clear majority of more than 50% support the EU path. The referendum needs a one-third turnout to be valid.<\/p>\n<p>Polling stations opened at 7am and are expected to close at 9pm. <\/p>\n<p>By 1 pm, more than 730,000 voters \u2014 about 25% of eligible voters \u2014 had cast ballots, according to the Central Electoral Commission. A delegation of electoral observers from more than a dozen countries is helping to monitor the two polls.<\/p>\n<p>If Sandu fails to win an outright majority on Sunday, a runoff will be held on Nov. 3 which could pit her against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a Russia-friendly former prosecutor general who is polling at around 10%.<\/p>\n<p>Wherever they sit on the political spectrum, most Moldovans want higher wages and a better quality of life \u2014 but opinion is split on whether joining the EU will provide the bright future that supporters of the idea are promising.<\/p>\n<p>Some are sceptical that membership will deliver change, while others prefer to maintain a cordial relationship with Russia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6667307692307692\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//80//11//30//808x539_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg/" alt=\"A woman runs past the government building decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags in Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 31 May, 2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/384x256_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/640x427_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/750x500_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/828x552_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/1080x720_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/1200x800_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/1920x1280_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A woman runs past the government building decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags in Chi\u0219in\u0103u, 31 May, 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Nothing good,\" said one man in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u when asked by Euronews what his expectations were.<\/p>\n<p>\"When in all these years they've been doing nothing. And the roads are completely deteriorated. I have not seen anybody doing a well so far, neither the current ones [politicians] nor the others. I don't see any hope for the future,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>But others think that EU membership will improve living standards and raise wages, something that\u2019s prompted many young people to leave the country in search of better salaries elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think these elections go hand in hand because I will of course choose the European path and in voting for a certain president I will address issues. I think it is important to see the future of our country, to see where we are heading, and if our citizens are all on same page,\" said another voter.<\/p>\n<h2>An end to stagnation?<\/h2><p>The current minimum wage in Moldova is set at 5,000 leu (\u20ac261) a month, one of the lowest in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>A recent analysis by the independent think tank Idis Viitorul showed that more than 200,000 Moldovans had left the country in the last four years, a record number.<\/p>\n<p>The data also show that more than 40% of Moldovans living abroad are between 30 and 44 years old \u2014 and it's expected that by 2030, the number of Moldovans born abroad will be higher than those born in the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">For about 20 years we have been talking about Moldova in the European Union and we are very close now and it is very, very important not to miss this opportunity.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Maia Sandu\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n President of Moldova\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"For us it\u2019s crucial, it\u2019s historic momentum. And it\u2019s not only about the ability of the citizens to mobilise and take a very clear stance about our future,\" said Iulian Groza, the executive director at the Institute for European Policies and Reforms.<\/p>\n<p>\"The choice is clear: either Moldova adheres and continues to advance towards the West, towards accession to the European Union, or it is being dragged by Russian proxies back into the hands of Russian influence.\"<\/p>\n<p>Polls put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1805875964993241167\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>President Sandu has been a staunch advocate for EU membership and at a campaign event on Thursday urged voters to support accession.<\/p>\n<p>\"For about 20 years we have been talking about Moldova in the European Union and we are very close now and it is very, very important not to miss this opportunity,\" she said.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova was granted EU candidate status in 2022.<\/p>\n<h2>The spectre of interference<\/h2><p>A turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid, meaning that many Russian-backed campaigns have focused on demobilising voters.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, Moldovan authorities warned that some \u20ac14 million in Russian funds had been funnelled directly into the accounts of 130,000 Moldovans in a bid to buy their anti-EU votes.<\/p>\n<p>Pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, known for spearheading the Kremlin's covert operations in Moldova, has also publicly offered money for votes against EU integration.<\/p>\n<p>Chi\u0219in\u0103u estimates that Russia has spent as much as\u00a0\u20ac100 million in total to undermine the electoral process, including through coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to sway or suppress the vote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//80//11//30//808x539_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg/" alt=\"A woman mops a stage before an electoral rally of Moldova&#39;s President Maia Sandu in M\u0103gd\u0103ce\u015fti, 17 October, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/384x256_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/640x427_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/750x500_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/828x552_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/1080x720_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/1200x800_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/1920x1280_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A woman mops a stage before an electoral rally of Moldova&#39;s President Maia Sandu in M\u0103gd\u0103ce\u015fti, 17 October, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Earlier this week, Moldova\u2019s Prime Minister Dorin Recean advised voters to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n<p>\"Lately, destabilisation attempts by criminal groups, controlled from outside, have intensified,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is up to you, dear citizens, to stop the attack on democracy. On Sunday you make the choice: do we go back to the past, alone, without resources for development, vulnerable to challenges, or do we go into the future, into the family of civilised countries?\"<\/p>\n<p>The Central Election Commission said people will be able to cast their ballot at 2,221 polling stations - 1,957 are located across Moldova, with 234 in other countries for Moldovan citizens voting abroad.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1729356734,"updatedAt":1729431477,"publishedAt":1729396805,"firstPublishedAt":1729396805,"lastPublishedAt":1729431477,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c4bef1a8-313b-5cce-aa2c-2bf9eee87a07-8801130.jpg","altText":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu prepares to cast her vote, in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024,","caption":"Moldova's President Maia Sandu prepares to cast her vote, in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024,","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_586cf528-e584-5a08-b05d-8501c3cb613c-8801130.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":4494,"height":2996},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/80\/11\/30\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c123735f-eba7-5b4b-9980-4e6f4c7a616d-8801130.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5200,"height":3467}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":29362,"slug":"eu-membership","urlSafeValue":"eu-membership","title":"EU membership","titleRaw":"EU membership"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"quotation","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2632358}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"W0dHuD24u4I","dailymotionId":"x97okz8"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/20\/en\/241020_E3SU_56806031_56806850_69480_141504_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":7681765,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/20\/en\/241020_E3SU_56806031_56806850_69480_141504_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11416805,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP, EBU","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Vincenzo Genovese","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/20\/polls-open-across-moldova-as-voters-decide-on-eu-membership-in-crucial-referendum","lastModified":1729431477},{"id":2656868,"cid":8798014,"versionId":4,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241018_E3SU_56788438","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA ELECTION PREVIEW","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Divided Moldovans prepare to decide on EU membership in crucial referendum","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldovans prepare to decide on EU membership in crucial referendum","titleListing2":"Divided Moldovans prepare to decide on EU membership in crucial referendum","leadin":"Polls put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%, but a minimum turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid.","summary":"Polls put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%, but a minimum turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid.","keySentence":"","url":"opinion-remains-split-in-moldova-ahead-of-sundays-eu-membership-referendum","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/18\/opinion-remains-split-in-moldova-ahead-of-sundays-eu-membership-referendum","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldovan voters are headed to the polls on Sunday to make two crucial decisions: who should be their next president, and whether the country should join the European Union.\n\nWherever they sit on the political spectrum, most Moldovans want higher wages and a better quality of life \u2014 but opinion is split on whether joining the EU will provide the bright future that supporters of the idea are promising.\n\nSome are sceptical that membership will deliver change, while others prefer to maintain a cordial relationship with Russia.\n\n\"Nothing good,\" said one man in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u when asked by Euronews what his expectations were.\n\n\"When in all these years they've been doing nothing. And the roads are completely deteriorated. I have not seen anybody doing a well so far, neither the current ones [politcians] nor the others. I don't see any hope for the future,\" he said.\n\nBut others think that EU membership will improve living standards and raise wages, something that\u2019s prompted many young people to leave the country in search of better salaries elsewhere.\n\n\"We all hope that young people would come back to the country, hope for changes for the better here in our country and to make a future here with our children together,\" another voter said.\n\n\"Let's integrate better, let's develop better, let's increase salaries now in the Republic of Moldova and do as much as possible for the youth,\" said another.\n\nAn end to stagnation?\n\nThe current minimum wage in Moldova is set at 5,000 leu (\u20ac261) a month, one of the lowest in Europe.\n\nA recent analysis by the independent think tank Idis Viitorul showed that more than 200,000 Moldovans had left the country in the last four years, a record number.\n\nThe data also show that more than 40% of Moldovans living abroad are between 30 and 44 years old \u2014 and it's expected that by 2030, the number of Moldovans born abroad will be higher than those born in the country.\n\n\"This referendum really does have an existential value for us, for Moldovan citizens, because it will determine civilisational choices for our state and Moldovan society,\" said political analyst Anatol \u021a\u0103ranu.\n\n\"We really are Europeans, in the sense that we are joining European civilisation, or we continue to remain Soviet and belong to a civilisation that has gone into history.\"\n\nPolls put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%.\n\nThe spectre of interference\n\nA turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid, meaning that many Russian-backed campaigns have focused on demobilising voters.\n\nEarlier this month, Moldovan authorities warned that some \u20ac14 million in Russian funds had been funnelled directly into the accounts of 130,000 Moldovans in a bid to buy their anti-EU votes.\n\nPro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, known for spearheading the Kremlin's covert operations in Moldova, has also publicly offered money for votes against EU integration.\n\nChi\u0219in\u0103u estimates that Russia has spent as much as\u00a0\u20ac100 million in total to undermine the electoral process, including through coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to sway or suppress the vote.\n\nOn Thursday, Moldova\u2019s Prime Minister Dorin Recean advised voters to remain vigilant.\n\n\"Lately, destabilisation attempts by criminal groups, controlled from outside, have intensified,\" he said. \n\n\"It is up to you, dear citizens, to stop the attack on democracy. On Sunday you make the choice: do we go back to the past, alone, without resources for development, vulnerable to challenges, or do we go into the future, into the family of civilised countries?\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldovan voters are headed to the polls on Sunday to make two crucial decisions: who should be their next president, and whether the country should join the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>Wherever they sit on the political spectrum, most Moldovans want higher wages and a better quality of life \u2014 but opinion is split on whether joining the EU will provide the bright future that supporters of the idea are promising.<\/p>\n<p>Some are sceptical that membership will deliver change, while others prefer to maintain a cordial relationship with Russia.<\/p>\n<p>\"Nothing good,\" said one man in the capital Chi\u0219in\u0103u when asked by Euronews what his expectations were.<\/p>\n<p>\"When in all these years they've been doing nothing. And the roads are completely deteriorated. I have not seen anybody doing a well so far, neither the current ones [politcians] nor the others. I don't see any hope for the future,\" he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1846843760321114337\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>But others think that EU membership will improve living standards and raise wages, something that\u2019s prompted many young people to leave the country in search of better salaries elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\"We all hope that young people would come back to the country, hope for changes for the better here in our country and to make a future here with our children together,\" another voter said.<\/p>\n<p>\"Let's integrate better, let's develop better, let's increase salaries now in the Republic of Moldova and do as much as possible for the youth,\" said another.<\/p>\n<h2>An end to stagnation?<\/h2><p>The current minimum wage in Moldova is set at 5,000 leu (\u20ac261) a month, one of the lowest in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>A recent analysis by the independent think tank Idis Viitorul showed that more than 200,000 Moldovans had left the country in the last four years, a record number.<\/p>\n<p>The data also show that more than 40% of Moldovans living abroad are between 30 and 44 years old \u2014 and it's expected that by 2030, the number of Moldovans born abroad will be higher than those born in the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6667307692307692\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//79//80//14//808x539_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg/" alt=\"Moldova&#39;s President Maia Sandu, right, poses with a woman holding a flag reading \u2018We Vote Yes to the Referendum\u2019 during an electoral meeting in Magdacesti, 17 October, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/384x256_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/640x427_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/750x500_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/828x552_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/1080x720_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/1200x800_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/1920x1280_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Moldova&#39;s President Maia Sandu, right, poses with a woman holding a flag reading \u2018We Vote Yes to the Referendum\u2019 during an electoral meeting in Magdacesti, 17 October, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"This referendum really does have an existential value for us, for Moldovan citizens, because it will determine civilisational choices for our state and Moldovan society,\" said political analyst Anatol \u021a\u0103ranu.<\/p>\n<p>\"We really are Europeans, in the sense that we are joining European civilisation, or we continue to remain Soviet and belong to a civilisation that has gone into history.\"<\/p>\n<p>Polls put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%.<\/p>\n<h2>The spectre of interference<\/h2><p>A turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid, meaning that many Russian-backed campaigns have focused on demobilising voters.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, Moldovan authorities warned that some \u20ac14 million in Russian funds had been funnelled directly into the accounts of 130,000 Moldovans in a bid to buy their anti-EU votes.<\/p>\n<p>Pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, known for spearheading the Kremlin's covert operations in Moldova, has also publicly offered money for votes against EU integration.<\/p>\n<p>Chi\u0219in\u0103u estimates that Russia has spent as much as\u00a0\u20ac100 million in total to undermine the electoral process, including through coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to sway or suppress the vote.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, Moldova\u2019s Prime Minister Dorin Recean advised voters to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n<p>\"Lately, destabilisation attempts by criminal groups, controlled from outside, have intensified,\" he said. <\/p>\n<p>\"It is up to you, dear citizens, to stop the attack on democracy. On Sunday you make the choice: do we go back to the past, alone, without resources for development, vulnerable to challenges, or do we go into the future, into the family of civilised countries?\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1729194502,"updatedAt":1729248256,"publishedAt":1729235387,"firstPublishedAt":1729235387,"lastPublishedAt":1729248255,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_35034aba-4c25-573e-8ae4-3144b7f4a5fe-8798014.jpg","altText":"A woman looks at a paper promoting Moldova's President Maia Sandu ahead of Sunday\u2019s presidential election, 17 October, 2024","caption":"A woman looks at a paper promoting Moldova's President Maia Sandu ahead of Sunday\u2019s presidential election, 17 October, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":6500,"height":3655},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/80\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8689ad81-fc5d-5e8e-b6c3-45a220329a10-8798014.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5200,"height":3467}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":29362,"slug":"eu-membership","urlSafeValue":"eu-membership","title":"EU membership","titleRaw":"EU membership"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"twitter","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2632358},{"id":2646384}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"cbqr73CdqqI","dailymotionId":"x97kok0"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/18\/en\/241018_E3SU_56788438_56790607_120000_082226_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":120000,"filesizeBytes":15475531,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/18\/en\/241018_E3SU_56788438_56790607_120000_082226_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":120000,"filesizeBytes":22960971,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP, EBU","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/18\/opinion-remains-split-in-moldova-ahead-of-sundays-eu-membership-referendum","lastModified":1729248255},{"id":2654602,"cid":8791452,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241016_EYSU_56762408","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Euroverify Moldova referendum","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Lies, bribes and interference: Kremlin\u2019s hybrid war overshadows Moldova\u2019s EU referendum","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Kremlin\u2019s hybrid war overshadows Moldova\u2019s EU referendum","titleListing2":"Lies, bribes and interference: Moldova\u2019s EU referendum overshadowed by Kremlin\u2019s hybrid war","leadin":"European officials say disinformation campaigns and vote-buying schemes risk undermining the integrity of the 20 October ballot.","summary":"European officials say disinformation campaigns and vote-buying schemes risk undermining the integrity of the 20 October ballot.","keySentence":"","url":"lies-bribes-and-interference-kremlins-hybrid-war-overshadows-moldovas-eu-referendum","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/10\/16\/lies-bribes-and-interference-kremlins-hybrid-war-overshadows-moldovas-eu-referendum","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldovans will be called to the ballot boxes on Sunday to cast two votes considered pivotal for the eastern European country\u2019s future.\n\nPresidential elections, where pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu is bidding for re-election, will coincide with a referendum on Moldova\u2019s EU membership bid. A \"yes\" to EU accession would see the government in Chi\u0219in\u0103u enshrine the wish into the country\u2019s constitution, cementing its path into the EU.\n\nBut Moldova has been caught in the crossfire of an information war pitting EU membership against closer alignment with Russia. Pro-Europeans fear the Kremlin\u2019s hybrid warfare techniques could skew the vote.\n\n\u201cRussia is sparing no effort to subvert electoral processes in Moldova,\u201d the EU\u2019s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Monday.\n\nEarlier this month, Moldovan authorities warned that some \u20ac14 million in Russian funds had been funnelled directly into the accounts of 130,000 Moldovans in a bid to buy their anti-EU votes. Pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, known for spearheading the Kremlin\u2019s covert operations in Moldova, has also publicly offered money for votes against EU integration.\n\nChi\u0219in\u0103u estimates that Russia has spent as much as\u00a0\u20ac100 million in total to undermine the electoral process, including through coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to sway or suppress the vote.\n\n\u201cThis is what Russia does. It\u2019s its modus operandi,\u201d James Nixey, who heads the Russia and Eurasia Program at think tank Chatham House, told Euronews.\n\n\u201cWhat marks Moldova out is that society at large is reasonably split, or at least ambivalent about whether it wants to head into Europe\u2019s embrace or return to Russia\u2019s orbit. That gives Russia some fertile ground to play with,\u201d he added.\u00a0\n\nPolls put Moldovans\u2019 support for EU membership at around 60%.\n\nA turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid, meaning that many Russian-backed campaigns have focused on demobilising voters.\n\n\u201cNot reaching the turnout threshold would be a failure for the Moldovan government, and is a more easily achievable goal in principle for Russia than ensuring a \u2018no\u2019 to EU accession,\u201d according to Ondrej Ditrych, Senior Analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).\n\nBut the chair of the European Parliament\u2019s Moldovan delegation, Siegfried Mure\u0219an, says the EU's unwavering support for Chi\u0219in\u0103u will outweigh the Kremlin\u2019s information war.\n\n\u201cIt is clear that Moldovan authorities do have the capacity to organise free and democratic elections. These elections will be monitored very carefully,\u201d Mure\u0219an said.\u00a0\n\n\u201cI believe that any isolated attempt to influence the election outcome will be identified properly by the Moldovan authorities.\u201d\n\nEnlargement becomes geopolitical imperative\n\nThe war in Ukraine has transformed Moldova\u2019s political arena, with parties previously calling for a mutually beneficial relationship with Russia now distancing themselves from the Kremlin.\n\nIt has also changed the mood in Brussels, where officials now see Moldova's and other candidate countries\u2019 accession to the EU as a geopolitical imperative.\u00a0\n\nRussia\u2019s deep-seated influence in the separatist region of Transnistria, which flanks Moldova\u2019s eastern border with Ukraine, previously made Moldova\u2019s EU accession \u201cdeeply problematic, verging on the impossible,\u201d Nixey explained.\n\nMoscow has 1,500 troops stationed in Transnistria, and pro-Russian rebels in the territory have ensured it has remained firmly in Russia's orbit.\n\n\u201cI think what the EU has collectively decided, albeit not unanimously (...) is that it's doable. The EU has decided to transcend the difficulty (of Transnistria) in order to protect Moldova,\u201d Nixey explained.\n\nThe Kremlin has also recently upped its efforts to destabilise Moldova through the small autonomous region of Gagauzia to the south. On Monday, the EU sanctioned the Gagauz leader Evghenia Gu\u021bu, who has been accused of promoting separatism.\n\nAsked whether these regions could obstruct Moldova's path into the EU, MEP Mure\u0219an told Euronews \"the simple answer is no\". \n\n\"The EU integration of the Republic of Moldova brings benefits to all citizens in the country, irrespective of which parts of the country they live in,\" he said.\n\nThe bloc is counting on an investment boost to bring the benefits of EU membership alive to citizens across the country.\n\nLast week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tabled a \u20ac1.8 billion financing package, the largest EU funding to Moldova since its independence, to support the country's path towards EU membership.\n\nOnce approved, Moldova will receive tranches of cash every six months, conditional on implementing key judicial and economic reforms.\n\nThe \u2018full playbook\u2019 of hybrid warfare\n\nBut the bloc knows it is grappling with a rival in Russia that is exploring a full range of hybrid warfare techniques to destabilise the country.\n\nAhead of the 20 October vote, Moscow has targeted its information war at the citizens of Moldova, using social platforms to sow distrust in the EU and delegitimise President Sandu.\n\nResearch agency Check Point recently unveiled a campaign dubbed \"Operation MiddleFloor\" directed at Moldovan civil servants in which counterfeit documents spread false claims about EU accession and aim to gather personal data of recipients to set the stage for malware attacks.\n\nThe campaign matches the Kremlin\u2019s pattern of weaponising minorities to divide societies. A document purporting to come from the European Commission claims the LGBTQ+ flag would be hoisted from ministry buildings on 12 days of the year if Moldova were to become an EU member state.\u00a0\n\nAnother counterfeit email claims the Moldovan government is introducing a new decree to \u201cattract migrants from the Middle East to compensate for the losses on the labour market.\u201d\n\nMoldova is no stranger to hybrid attacks aimed at getting the former Soviet republic back under Moscow\u2019s influence.\n\nIn September 2022, as the country reeled from the effects of an energy crisis provoked by Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine, protests fanned by the now outlawed, pro-Russian \u0218or party piled pressure on the pro-EU government of Maia Sandu. It later emerged that protesters had been paid by Kremlin proxies to attend.\n\nThe Kremlin\u2019s activities are concentrated around key electoral events, making the Sunday ballot vulnerable to interference.\n\n\u201cRussia has been trying to undermine the modernisation and the reform processes in the Republic of Moldova for 30 years,\u201d Mure\u0219an explained, adding that in recent years however it has \u201cfailed to hold Moldova back on its European integration course.\u201d\n\nSandu, who was elected president in December 2020, has made Moldova\u2019s EU integration the core tenet of her mandate. \n\nShe currently leads the polls at around 30% of the voting intention but could face a tough reckoning if the vote goes into a second round, where her opponent could rally voters to block her re-election.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldovans will be called to the ballot boxes on Sunday to cast two votes considered pivotal for the eastern European country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p>Presidential elections, where pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu is bidding for re-election, will coincide with a referendum on Moldova\u2019s EU membership bid. A \"yes\" to EU accession would see the government in Chi\u0219in\u0103u enshrine the wish into the country\u2019s constitution, cementing its path into the EU.<\/p>\n<p>But Moldova has been caught in the crossfire of an information war pitting EU membership against closer alignment with Russia. Pro-Europeans fear the Kremlin\u2019s hybrid warfare techniques could skew the vote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRussia is sparing no effort to subvert electoral processes in Moldova,\u201d the EU\u2019s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, Moldovan authorities warned that some \u20ac14 million in Russian funds had been funnelled directly into the accounts of 130,000 Moldovans in a bid to buy their anti-EU votes. Pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, known for spearheading the Kremlin\u2019s covert operations in Moldova, has also publicly offered money for votes against EU integration.<\/p>\n<p>Chi\u0219in\u0103u estimates that Russia has spent as much as\u00a0\u20ac100 million in total to undermine the electoral process, including through coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to sway or suppress the vote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is what Russia does. It\u2019s its modus operandi,\u201d James Nixey, who heads the Russia and Eurasia Program at think tank Chatham House, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat marks Moldova out is that society at large is reasonably split, or at least ambivalent about whether it wants to head into Europe\u2019s embrace or return to Russia\u2019s orbit. That gives Russia some fertile ground to play with,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Polls put Moldovans\u2019 support for EU membership at around 60%.<\/p>\n<p>A turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid, meaning that many Russian-backed campaigns have focused on demobilising voters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot reaching the turnout threshold would be a failure for the Moldovan government, and is a more easily achievable goal in principle for Russia than ensuring a \u2018no\u2019 to EU accession,\u201d according to Ondrej Ditrych, Senior Analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).<\/p>\n<p>But the chair of the European Parliament\u2019s Moldovan delegation, Siegfried Mure\u0219an, says the EU's unwavering support for Chi\u0219in\u0103u will outweigh the Kremlin\u2019s information war.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is clear that Moldovan authorities do have the capacity to organise free and democratic elections. These elections will be monitored very carefully,\u201d Mure\u0219an said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI believe that any isolated attempt to influence the election outcome will be identified properly by the Moldovan authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Enlargement becomes geopolitical imperative<\/strong><\/h2><p>The war in Ukraine has transformed Moldova\u2019s political arena, with parties previously calling for a mutually beneficial relationship with Russia now distancing themselves from the Kremlin.<\/p>\n<p>It has also changed the mood in Brussels, where officials now see Moldova's and other candidate countries\u2019 accession to the EU as a geopolitical imperative.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Russia\u2019s deep-seated influence in the separatist region of Transnistria, which flanks Moldova\u2019s eastern border with Ukraine, previously made Moldova\u2019s EU accession \u201cdeeply problematic, verging on the impossible,\u201d Nixey explained.<\/p>\n<p>Moscow has 1,500 troops stationed in Transnistria, and pro-Russian rebels in the territory have ensured it has remained firmly in Russia's orbit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think what the EU has collectively decided, albeit not unanimously (...) is that it's doable. The EU has decided to transcend the difficulty (of Transnistria) in order to protect Moldova,\u201d Nixey explained.<\/p>\n<p>The Kremlin has also recently upped its efforts to destabilise Moldova through the small autonomous region of Gagauzia to the south. On Monday, the EU sanctioned the Gagauz leader Evghenia Gu\u021bu, who has been accused of promoting separatism.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-flourish widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-chart u-min-height-375\" data-src=\"visualisation\/19819520?92060\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Asked whether these regions could obstruct Moldova's path into the EU, MEP Mure\u0219an told Euronews \"the simple answer is no\". <\/p>\n<p>\"The EU integration of the Republic of Moldova brings benefits to all citizens in the country, irrespective of which parts of the country they live in,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>The bloc is counting on an investment boost to bring the benefits of EU membership alive to citizens across the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8770906,8760898\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//10//04//moldovan-officials-accuse-kremlin-of-bribing-voters-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum/">Moldovan officials accuse Kremlin of bribing voters ahead of EU membership referendum<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//09//29//moldova-accuses-russia-of-organising-pre-election-vandalism-of-state-buildings/">Moldova accuses Russia of organising pre-election vandalism of state buildings<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tabled a \u20ac1.8 billion financing package, the largest EU funding to Moldova since its independence, to support the country's path towards EU membership.<\/p>\n<p>Once approved, Moldova will receive tranches of cash every six months, conditional on implementing key judicial and economic reforms.<\/p>\n<h2>The \u2018full playbook\u2019 of hybrid warfare<\/h2><p>But the bloc knows it is grappling with a rival in Russia that is exploring a full range of hybrid warfare techniques to destabilise the country.<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the 20 October vote, Moscow has targeted its information war at the citizens of Moldova, using social platforms to sow distrust in the EU and delegitimise President Sandu.<\/p>\n<p>Research agency Check Point recently unveiled a campaign dubbed \"Operation MiddleFloor\" directed at Moldovan civil servants in which counterfeit documents spread false claims about EU accession and aim to gather personal data of recipients to set the stage for malware attacks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//79//14//52//808x454_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg/" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen, left, and Maia Sandu, right\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/384x216_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/640x360_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/750x422_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/828x466_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/1080x608_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/1200x675_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/1920x1080_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Ursula von der Leyen, left, and Maia Sandu, right<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Dati Bendo\/CCE<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The campaign matches the Kremlin\u2019s pattern of weaponising minorities to divide societies. A document purporting to come from the European Commission claims the LGBTQ+ flag would be hoisted from ministry buildings on 12 days of the year if Moldova were to become an EU member state.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another counterfeit email claims the Moldovan government is introducing a new decree to \u201cattract migrants from the Middle East to compensate for the losses on the labour market.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Moldova is no stranger to hybrid attacks aimed at getting the former Soviet republic back under Moscow\u2019s influence.<\/p>\n<p>In September 2022, as the country reeled from the effects of an energy crisis provoked by Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine, protests fanned by the now outlawed, pro-Russian \u0218or party piled pressure on the pro-EU government of Maia Sandu. It later emerged that protesters had been paid by Kremlin proxies to attend.<\/p>\n<p>The Kremlin\u2019s activities are concentrated around key electoral events, making the Sunday ballot vulnerable to interference.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRussia has been trying to undermine the modernisation and the reform processes in the Republic of Moldova for 30 years,\u201d Mure\u0219an explained, adding that in recent years however it has \u201cfailed to hold Moldova back on its European integration course.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sandu, who was elected president in December 2020, has made Moldova\u2019s EU integration the core tenet of her mandate. <\/p>\n<p>She currently leads the polls at around 30% of the voting intention but could face a tough reckoning if the vote goes into a second round, where her opponent could rally voters to block her re-election.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1728983367,"updatedAt":1729070893,"publishedAt":1729068350,"firstPublishedAt":1729068350,"lastPublishedAt":1729070892,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5fb9c8ec-ee9b-5d5b-8d5e-22a736ee269d-8791452.jpg","altText":"A woman holds a banner showing the country's president, Maia Sandu, that reads \"Moldova without PAS and Sandu\" during a protest in Chisinau, Moldova, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.","caption":"A woman holds a banner showing the country's president, Maia Sandu, that reads \"Moldova without PAS and Sandu\" during a protest in Chisinau, Moldova, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Aurel Obreja\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/14\/52\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6e454f22-5fda-5418-9cf0-e72735a613f9-8791452.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2766,"urlSafeValue":"jones-m","title":"Mared Gwyn Jones","twitter":"@MaredGwyn"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":93,"slug":"eu-enlargement","urlSafeValue":"eu-enlargement","title":"EU enlargement","titleRaw":"EU enlargement"},{"id":24386,"slug":"sandu","urlSafeValue":"sandu","title":"Maia Sandu","titleRaw":"Maia Sandu"},{"id":14156,"slug":"eastern-europe","urlSafeValue":"eastern-europe","title":"Eastern Europe","titleRaw":"Eastern Europe"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1},{"slug":"flourish","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2658784}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"jpvR_tiZupI","dailymotionId":"x97g1bq"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/EY\/SU\/24\/10\/16\/en\/241016_EYSU_56762408_56762847_119000_104255_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":119000,"filesizeBytes":14382779,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/EY\/SU\/24\/10\/16\/en\/241016_EYSU_56762408_56762847_119000_104255_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":119000,"filesizeBytes":20590779,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"euro-verify","urlSafeValue":"euro-verify","title":"EuroVerify","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/my-europe-series\/euro-verify"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"my-europe-series","urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"My Europe Series","url":"\/my-europe\/my-europe-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":60,"urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"Europe Series"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/16\/lies-bribes-and-interference-kremlins-hybrid-war-overshadows-moldovas-eu-referendum","lastModified":1729070892},{"id":2655188,"cid":8793232,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241016_E3SU_56770151","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA ELEX + REFERENDUM","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldova begins preparations for upcoming referendum on EU membership","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldova begins preparations for upcoming referendum on EU membership","titleListing2":"Moldova begins preparations for upcoming referendum on EU membership","leadin":"On Sunday, Moldovans will vote on whether EU accession should become a constitutional goal. The country's presidential election will happen on the same day.","summary":"On Sunday, Moldovans will vote on whether EU accession should become a constitutional goal. The country's presidential election will happen on the same day.","keySentence":"","url":"moldova-begins-preparations-for-upcoming-referendum-on-eu-membership","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/16\/moldova-begins-preparations-for-upcoming-referendum-on-eu-membership","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldovans will vote twice on Sunday \u2013 first, in the country's presidential election, and then in a long anticipated referendum on EU membership.\n\nThe Central Electoral Commission in Chisinau (CEC) printed around 5.6 million ballot papers for the presidential election and constitutional referendum on Tuesday, which will be distributed to polling stations throughout the country and in diaspora. \n\nFor the first time, the ballot papers will be available not only in Romanian, but also in five languages of ethnic minorities: Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, Bulgarian and Romani.\n\nThe outcome of the referendum will determine whether EU accession will become a constitutional goal. In the referendum, 12 parties signed up with the \u201cYES\u201d option and two with the \u201cNO\u201d option. A \"YES\" vote will change Moldova\u2019s constitution.\n\nA \"YES\" could lead to further tensions between the pro-Western leadership and the Moscow-leaning breakaway region of Transnistria in the country's east, where pro-Russian separatists rule. Around 2,000 Russian soldiers are still present in Transnistria.\n\nTo further complicate things, Moldova has accused Moscow of interfering in the upcoming referendum, alleging it has poured funds to turn people against it and influence the vote.\n\nIncumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu \u2014\u00a0who is running for re-election \u2014\u00a0has been a vocal supporter of Moldova's EU membership. Sandu's 2020 election was viewed as a democratic turning point for many.\u00a0The 51-year-old was an economist at the World Bank before going into politics.\n\nAccording to recent polls, Sandu is leading the presidential race, as well as a \"YES\" outcome in the referendum.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldovans will vote twice on Sunday \u2013 first, in the country's presidential election, and then in a long anticipated referendum on EU membership.<\/p>\n<p>The Central Electoral Commission in Chisinau (CEC) printed around 5.6 million ballot papers for the presidential election and constitutional referendum on Tuesday, which will be distributed to polling stations throughout the country and in diaspora. <\/p>\n<p>For the first time, the ballot papers will be available not only in Romanian, but also in five languages of ethnic minorities: Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, Bulgarian and Romani.<\/p>\n<p>The outcome of the referendum will determine whether EU accession will become a constitutional goal. In the referendum, 12 parties signed up with the \u201cYES\u201d option and two with the \u201cNO\u201d option. A \"YES\" vote will change Moldova\u2019s constitution.<\/p>\n<p>A \"YES\" could lead to further tensions between the pro-Western leadership and the Moscow-leaning breakaway region of Transnistria in the country's east, where <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2014//06//07//interview-transnistran-president-shevchuk-says-he-wants-a-civilised-divorce-/">pro-Russian separatists rule.<\/strong><\/a> Around 2,000 Russian soldiers are still present in Transnistria.<\/p>\n<p>To further complicate things, Moldova has accused Moscow of interfering in the upcoming referendum, alleging it has poured funds to turn people against it and influence the vote.<\/p>\n<p>Incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu \u2014\u00a0who is running for re-election \u2014\u00a0has been a vocal supporter of Moldova's EU membership. Sandu's 2020 election was viewed as a democratic turning point for many.\u00a0The 51-year-old was an economist at the World Bank before going into politics.<\/p>\n<p>According to recent polls, Sandu is leading the presidential race, as well as a \"YES\" outcome in the referendum.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1729038243,"updatedAt":1729067044,"publishedAt":1729039703,"firstPublishedAt":1729039703,"lastPublishedAt":1729039703,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/79\/32\/32\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_597b0898-af5d-53f9-b46d-eb469b8a8751-8793232.jpg","altText":"A woman runs past the government building, decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags in Chisinau, Moldova, on May 31, 2023.","caption":"A woman runs past the government building, decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags in Chisinau, Moldova, on May 31, 2023.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1280,"height":853}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3168,"urlSafeValue":"de-ruiter","title":"Emma De Ruiter","twitter":"@ruiter_emma"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":25588,"slug":"election","urlSafeValue":"election","title":"Election","titleRaw":"Election"},{"id":7964,"slug":"referendum","urlSafeValue":"referendum","title":"Referendum","titleRaw":"Referendum"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2646384},{"id":2642210}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"avg1Osk-_IU","dailymotionId":"x97fe80"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/16\/en\/241016_E3SU_56770151_56770901_62320_074431_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":62320,"filesizeBytes":8181478,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/24\/10\/16\/en\/241016_E3SU_56770151_56770901_62320_074431_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":62320,"filesizeBytes":12133094,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84111001","84112004","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_issues","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/my-europe\/2024\/10\/16\/moldova-begins-preparations-for-upcoming-referendum-on-eu-membership","lastModified":1729039703},{"id":2646384,"cid":8770906,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"241004_NWSU_56676743","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"WEB: Moldova warns of Russian. interference","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldovan officials accuse Kremlin of bribing voters ahead of EU membership referendum","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldova accuses Russia of bribing voters ahead of EU referendum","titleListing2":"Moldovan officials accuse Kremlin of bribing voters ahead of EU membership referendum","leadin":"National police chief Viorel Cernautanu revealed that over 130,000 Moldovans were bribed by a Russian network to promote pro-Kremlin candidates, raising concerns about malign influence.","summary":"National police chief Viorel Cernautanu revealed that over 130,000 Moldovans were bribed by a Russian network to promote pro-Kremlin candidates, raising concerns about malign influence.","keySentence":"","url":"moldovan-officials-accuse-kremlin-of-bribing-voters-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/10\/04\/moldovan-officials-accuse-kremlin-of-bribing-voters-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldova has accused Moscow of interfering in the upcoming referendum on the country's European Union membership bid, alleging it has poured significant funds to turn people against it and influence the vote. \n\nSpeaking to the press on Thursday, National police chief Viorel Cernautanu said more than 130,000 Moldovans had been bribed by a Russian network pushing pro-Kremlin candidates in a bid to derail attempts to grow closer to the EU.\n\nWith presidential elections set to be held on 20 October, alongside a referendum on whether the country should pursue its bid for EU membership, the news has raised concerns about corruption. \n\nA \"yes\" could lead to further tensions between the pro-Western leadership and the Moscow-leaning breakaway region of Transnistria in the country's east.\n\nCernautanu called the situation an \"unprecedented, direct attack\", stating that some \u20ac13.5 million had been transferred in September alone to accounts opened at Russia's Promsvyazbank.\n\nIncumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu \u2014\u00a0who is running for reelection \u2014\u00a0has been a vocal supporter of Moldova's EU membership. The country formally applied for EU membership in March 2022, receiving a response including a series of nine steps to work on to further advance its bid.\n\nSandu's 2020 election was viewed as a democratic turning point for many.\u00a0The 51-year-old was an economist at the World Bank before turning her hand to politics. Currently leading in the polls, a record 11 candidates stand against her.\n\nIlan Shor: The oligarch buying off Moldovans\n\nIsraeli-born Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor is one of the figures at the heart of the corruption allegations. \n\nShor currently lives in Moscow as a fugitive from Chisinau court, facing 15 years of imprisonment in Moldova due to his involvement in the so-called \"Grand Theft Case\", which concerns the theft of $1 billion (\u20ac906m) from the nation's banking system.\n\nPosting on Telegram channels over the weekend, Shor announced he would pay people who would \u201cconvince as many people as possible at their polling station\u201d to vote \"no\" in the referendum. \n\nMoldova\u2019s Information and Security Service (SIS) has reported that Shor is running a criminal group, which receives substantial funds from Moscow, in an attempt to derail Moldova\u2019s efforts to foster closer relations with Europe.\n\nOperating through a Telegram chatbot which registers people and assigns them \u201ctasks\u201d, Shor promised users \u201c2,000 lei (\u20ac100) for fulfilling the minimum tasks\u201d and \u201c5,000 lei (\u20ac250) \u2013 if in your polling station, the majority are against the EU and choose our candidate [in the presidential election]\u201d, reports regional outlet Balkan Insight. \n\nSpeaking to Russia's state-owned TASS news agency, he described the bribery allegations as an \"absurd spectacle\" and accused Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity of accepting money from Western nongovernmental organisations.\n\nLast year, Moldova\u2019s Constitutional Court banned the pro-Russian Shor party, stating that the wave of anti-government protests led by the group were \u201cunconstitutional\u201d. In April 2024, Shor established a new group \u2014 the Victory Bloc \u2014 during a meeting at the Carlton Hotel in Moscow. \n\nEuropean and international condemnation \n\nA debate with EU foreign policy chief Borrell and MEPs on the issue is set to take place next Tuesday. MEPs will then vote on a resolution surrounding Russia's attempts to interfere in Moldova\u2019s presidential elections on Wednesday.\n\nIn June, the US, Canada, and the UK issued a joint statement raising their \u201cconcerns about the Kremlin\u2019s use of criminal groups to finance political activities and undermine Moldova\u2019s democratic institutions.\u201d\u00a0\n\nThe statement went on to warn that the Kremlin intends to \u201cincite protests in Moldova should a pro-Russia candidate not win,\" the statement said.\n\n\"They seek to foment negative public perceptions of Western governments and Moldova\u2019s incumbent leadership, while degrading public confidence in Moldova\u2019s ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law.\u201d\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldova has accused Moscow of interfering in the upcoming referendum on the country's European Union membership bid, alleging it has poured significant funds to turn people against it and influence the vote. <\/p>\n<p>Speaking to the press on Thursday, National police chief Viorel Cernautanu said more than 130,000 Moldovans had been bribed by a Russian network pushing pro-Kremlin candidates in a bid to derail attempts to grow closer to the EU.<\/p>\n<p>With presidential elections set to be held on 20 October, alongside a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//09//30//moldova-at-the-crossroads-tensions-with-transnistria-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum/">referendum on whether the country should pursue its bid for EU membership, the news has raised concerns about corruption. <\/p>\n<p>A \"yes\" could lead to further tensions between the pro-Western leadership and the Moscow-leaning breakaway region of Transnistria in the country's east.<\/p>\n<p>Cernautanu called the situation an \"unprecedented, direct attack\", stating that some \u20ac13.5 million had been transferred in September alone to accounts opened at Russia's Promsvyazbank.<\/p>\n<p>Incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu \u2014\u00a0who is running for reelection \u2014\u00a0has been a vocal supporter of Moldova's EU membership. The country formally applied for EU membership in March 2022, receiving a response including <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu//european-neighbourhood-policy//countries-region//moldova_en/">a series of nine steps<\/strong><\/a> to work on to further advance its bid.<\/p>\n<p>Sandu's 2020 election was viewed as a democratic turning point for many.\u00a0The 51-year-old was an economist at the World Bank before turning her hand to politics. Currently leading in the polls, a record 11 candidates stand against her.<\/p>\n<h2>Ilan Shor: The oligarch buying off Moldovans<\/h2><p>Israeli-born Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor is one of the figures at the heart of the corruption allegations. <\/p>\n<p>Shor currently lives in Moscow as a fugitive from Chisinau court, facing 15 years of imprisonment in Moldova due to his involvement in the so-called \"Grand Theft Case\", which concerns the theft of $1 billion (\u20ac906m) from the nation's banking system.<\/p>\n<p>Posting on Telegram channels over the weekend, Shor announced he would pay people who would \u201cconvince as many people as possible at their polling station\u201d to vote \"no\" in the referendum. <\/p>\n<p>Moldova\u2019s Information and Security Service (SIS) has reported that Shor is running a criminal group, which receives substantial funds from Moscow, in an attempt to derail Moldova\u2019s efforts to foster closer relations with Europe.<\/p>\n<p>Operating through a Telegram chatbot which registers people and assigns them \u201ctasks\u201d, Shor promised users \u201c2,000 lei (\u20ac100) for fulfilling the minimum tasks\u201d and \u201c5,000 lei (\u20ac250) \u2013 if in your polling station, the majority are against the EU and choose our candidate [in the presidential election]\u201d, reports regional outlet Balkan Insight. <\/p>\n<p>Speaking to Russia's state-owned TASS news agency, he described the bribery allegations as an \"absurd spectacle\" and accused Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity of accepting money from Western nongovernmental organisations.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, Moldova\u2019s Constitutional Court banned the pro-Russian Shor party, stating that the wave of anti-government protests led by the group were \u201cunconstitutional\u201d. In April 2024, Shor established a new group \u2014 the Victory Bloc \u2014 during a meeting at the Carlton Hotel in Moscow. <\/p>\n<h2>European and international condemnation<\/h2><p>A <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.europarl.europa.eu//news//en//agenda//briefing//2024-10-07//11//parliament-set-to-voice-alarm-over-russian-interference-in-moldova/">debate with EU foreign policy chief Borrell and MEPs on the issue is set to take place next Tuesday. MEPs will then vote on a resolution surrounding Russia's attempts to interfere in Moldova\u2019s presidential elections on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>In June, the US, Canada, and the UK issued a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.state.gov//joint-statement-exposing-russias-subversive-activity-and-electoral-interference-targeting-moldova///">joint statement<\/strong><\/a> raising their \u201cconcerns about the Kremlin\u2019s use of criminal groups to finance political activities and undermine Moldova\u2019s democratic institutions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The statement went on to warn that the Kremlin intends to \u201cincite protests in Moldova should a pro-Russia candidate not win,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n<p>\"They seek to foment negative public perceptions of Western governments and Moldova\u2019s incumbent leadership, while degrading public confidence in Moldova\u2019s ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1728033910,"updatedAt":1728046057,"publishedAt":1728043212,"firstPublishedAt":1728043212,"lastPublishedAt":1728043212,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/77\/08\/50\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_235a4696-509a-5bb6-8fd9-1da611ee6688-8770850.jpg","altText":" European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, stands next to Moldova's President Maia Sandu, in Chisinau, Moldova, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. ","caption":" European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, stands next to Moldova's President Maia Sandu, in Chisinau, Moldova, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Aurel Obreja\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":4329,"height":2886}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2662,"urlSafeValue":"nilsson","title":"Estelle Nilsson-Julien","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":4988,"slug":"corruption","urlSafeValue":"corruption","title":"Corruption","titleRaw":"Corruption"},{"id":24386,"slug":"sandu","urlSafeValue":"sandu","title":"Maia Sandu","titleRaw":"Maia Sandu"},{"id":29362,"slug":"eu-membership","urlSafeValue":"eu-membership","title":"EU membership","titleRaw":"EU membership"},{"id":4470,"slug":"kremlin","urlSafeValue":"kremlin","title":"Kremlin","titleRaw":"Kremlin"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2655188}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122006","84111001","84112005","84121001","84122001","84211001","84212001","84251001","84252011","84252015","84252028"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","news","news_general","society","society_general","travel","travel_canada","travel_europe","travel_united_kingdom"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/10\/04\/moldovan-officials-accuse-kremlin-of-bribing-voters-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum","lastModified":1728043212},{"id":2632358,"cid":8736100,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240930_WTSU_56525731","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"WT-43-EU ep43 \u2013 Moldova - MASTER","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldova at the crossroads: tensions with Transnistria ahead of EU membership referendum","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Moldova at the crossroads: tensions with Transnistria ahead of EU membership referendum","leadin":"In October Moldovans will vote on making EU membership a constitutional goal. A 'yes' vote would put the pro-Western leadership on a collision course with the Russia-leaning breakaway region in the east.","summary":"In October Moldovans will vote on making EU membership a constitutional goal. A 'yes' vote would put the pro-Western leadership on a collision course with the Russia-leaning breakaway region in the east.","keySentence":"","url":"moldova-at-the-crossroads-tensions-with-transnistria-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/09\/30\/moldova-at-the-crossroads-tensions-with-transnistria-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Europe \u2013 yes, or no? On October 20, Moldovans will vote in a referendum on putting EU membership as a national objective into the Constitution. Ahead of the people\u2019s vote Euronews reporter Hans von der Brelie travelled through this country sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine. He spoke with both, pro-Europeans in the West and also with pro-Russian separatists in the east, in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria. He found a still deeply divided country.\n\nHow could EU membership impact the economy and everyday life of the Moldovan people? Let\u2019s start in Ungheni, close to the Romanian border, on the site of an industrial carpet producer. The giant buildings are relics from Soviet times when some 2,000 workers produced carpets for the Eastern Bloc. The economic collapse of the Soviet Union brought painful changes and the country has witnessed turbulent times since; political turmoil, a financial crisis, the pandemic, skyrocketing energy prices and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have all added further problems. Today, the carpet factory\u2019s staff roster is down to 150.\n\nBut Ghenadie Podgornii, the technical director of Covoare Ungheni, shares an explicitly optimistic outlook: \u201cJoining the European internal market means getting rid of all the export\/import related bureaucracy\u201d, he says. Some 70% of the carpets are sold to EU clients. And there is further potential, believes financial director Aliona Tiuticov: \u201cBecoming a EU member is an added value\u201d, she says, \u201cit\u2019s good for our image as a country and as a company.\u201d\n\nLooking West\n\nThe management is seeking a further 30 employees, but many Moldovans are working in western Europe. Joining the EU could bring economic stability to Moldova and thereby slow down the exodus of people, Podgornii believes. \u201cEU-membership will be an advantage for our company, it will help us to keep the workers in Moldova. To earn money, they are no longer obliged to leave to work abroad,\u201d he says.\n\nPodgornii went through this experience himself: \u201cI lived abroad, during 12 years I worked in Italy. I came back to Moldova, because I wanted to achieve something in my own country. But mostly I went back because here I feel at home.\u201d\n\nWhat do the employees think about the European Union? Maria is an industrial carpet weaver: \u201cIt is good to enter the European Union, because then the salaries will be higher.\u201d Her colleague Andrei agrees: \u201cWe will sell more goods in Europe and therefore we will earn more money and our salaries will rise.\u201d\n\nNot all working on the factory floor share this pro-European enthusiasm. Another weaver, also called Maria, is sceptical about EU membership: \u201cThe prices in the shops could go up even more\u201d, she says. But most Moldovans are in favour of EU-membership, opinion polls indicate. Already today, Moldova has access to EU financed support programmes. That\u2019s how the carpet company was enabled to put photovoltaic panels on their rooftop, helping to bring down the electricity bill.\n\nA first step to EU membership\n\nLets move on to a village in the centre, close to the capital Chisinau. Moldova is a big exporter of agricultural products such as plums, apples, nuts and wine. Igor Golbian launched a start-up producing dried bio-fruit and sunflower oil. He did not find enough locals, so he hired contract workers from India.\n\nGolbian has plans to export to Romania, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, but it requires a lot of preparation. \u201cAs an exporter you should be well-informed about technical requirements regarding packaging rules, storage conditions, logistics, labelling, lab sampling. Right now, Moldova is in a very important move. This is our last chance to jump on the last wagon of this train running towards the European Union!\u201d\n\nIn the upcoming October referendum, Moldovans will take a first decision about EU membership. But the 27 member States of the EU have a decisive word to say, too. And this could take some time. And then there is still the \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d in the Moldovan east: Transnistria.\n\nThe Republic of Moldova is a divided country. In the east, pro-Russian separatists rule. As a western European journalist, I needed a special accreditation to pass the checkpoints. Around 2,000 Russian soldiers are still present in Transnistria. 34 year ago, the Russian-speaking region declared independence. But the tiny pseudo-State is not recognised, not even by Moscow \u2013 so far. \n\nWe talked to people in the separatist capital Tiraspol to find out what they thought about Moldova possibly becoming an EU member, and what it would mean for Transnistria. Daria, a young woman, likes the idea: \u201cThat\u2019s a good initiative and it would bring advantages for both, for Transnistria and for Moldova.\u201d\n\nTatiana, an middle-aged woman, disagrees: \u201cWe are waiting for Russia. With Russia our future will be better, beautiful and most joyful! Because we will be recognised as part of Russia. Or at least Russia will recognize us as an independent State.\u201d\n\nEconomic tug-of-war\n\nTransnistria\u2019s heavy industry depends on free Russian gas. At the end of December this could stop. The transit agreement with Ukraine will not be extended. No more Russian gas for Transnistria? That could be fatal for many big factories. There are alternative sources and pipelines, but who is going to pay? The separatists? The Moldovan government?\n\nSince the beginning of this year, Moldova collects export\/import duties, VAT and environmental pollution fees from Transnistrian companies and stepped up the fight against money laundering. From an EU perspective this looks like ordinary procedures just following common rules. But it\u2019s a tough blow for the Transnistrian oligarchs pulling the political and economic strings in the separatist region.\n\nMoreover, there is suspicion that electronic pieces \u201cmade in Transnistria\u201d are being used in Russian weapons systems, in so-called \u201cdual use\u201d. Big companies such as Elektromash, Moldavisolit and Bender Potential are among the suspects.\n\nThe head of the Transnistrian industry federation, Yuriy Mikhaylovich Cheban, denies the allegations and criticises the strict export controls introduced by the Republic of Moldova, calling them \u201cpolitically motivated\u201d. Euronews met him in his office in Tiraspol: \u201cMore than 40,000 people went to the streets to protest. Due to all those measures, we lost already some 70 to 80 million euros, this money is lacking now in our budget.\u201d\n\nThe so-called \u2018president\u2019 of Transnistria labelled the Moldovan taxes an \u201caggression\u201d. And the 'economy minister' of Transnistria, Sergei Obolnik, told Euronews: \u201cThose goods became some 15 to 20 percent more expensive, due to those taxes, so now they are more expensive than the Moldovan products. Moreover, all the needed instruments to continue to interact with the West are disappearing, because of this double taxation and the closure of some of our bank accounts in Moldova. This leads to a situation where economic collapse has almost happened.\u201d\n\nWith or without EU\n\nBack in the capital of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, I have an appointment with the country's economy minister and deputy prime minister, Dumitru Alaiba. Preparations to integrate the Moldovan economy into the European internal market are on track and going at full speed. But what about Transnistria?, we ask him. \n\nEuronews:\n\nYou have a separatist region in the east. How will the integration of Moldova into the European Union impact Transnistria?\n\nDumitru Alaiba:\n\nThis [Transnistrian] part of our economy is quite well integrated [into the European internal market], with around 80 percent of the exports going into the European Union.\n\nEuronews:\n\nThe Transnistrian \u2018government\u2019 is complaining, saying it\u2019s not fair to put big companies under \u2018embargo\u2019.\n\nDumitru Alaiba:\n\nWhen a Moldovan company producing this dual use goods is intending to export them to Russia, then we do not authorise it. Full stop.\n\nEuronews:\n\nWill Transnistria be part of the European Union?\n\nDumitru Alaiba:\n\nOf course.\n\nEuronews:\n\nWhen?\n\nDumitru Alaiba:\n\nThis is something that is yet to be settled\u2026\n\nEuronews:\n\nWhen Moldova will be member of the European Union?\n\nDumitru Alaiba:\n\n2030.\n\nClick on the video above to see Hans' report in full.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Europe \u2013 yes, or no? On October 20, Moldovans will vote in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eu4moldova.eu///">a referendum on putting EU membership as a national objective into the Constitution<\/strong><\/a>. Ahead of the people\u2019s vote Euronews reporter <strong>Hans von der Brelie<\/strong> travelled through this country sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine. He spoke with both, pro-Europeans in the West and also with pro-Russian separatists in the east, in the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria. He found a still deeply divided country.<\/p>\n<p>How could EU membership impact the economy and everyday life of the Moldovan people? Let\u2019s start in Ungheni, close to the Romanian border, on the site of an industrial carpet producer. The giant buildings are relics from Soviet times when some 2,000 workers produced carpets for the Eastern Bloc. The economic collapse of the Soviet Union brought painful changes and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.britannica.com//place//Moldova//Economy/">the country has witnessed turbulent times since<\/strong><\/a>; political turmoil, a financial crisis, the pandemic, skyrocketing energy prices and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have all added further problems. Today, the carpet factory\u2019s staff roster is down to 150.<\/p>\n<p>But Ghenadie Podgornii, the technical director of Covoare Ungheni, shares an explicitly optimistic outlook: \u201cJoining the European internal market means getting rid of all the export\/import related bureaucracy\u201d, he says. Some 70% of the carpets are sold to EU clients. And there is further potential, believes financial director Aliona Tiuticov: \u201cBecoming a EU member is an added value\u201d, she says, \u201cit\u2019s good for our image as a country and as a company.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5684340320591862\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//73//61//00//808x459_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg/" alt=\"A majority of Moldovans favour joining the EU\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/384x218_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/640x364_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/750x426_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/828x471_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/1080x614_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/1200x682_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/1920x1091_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A majority of Moldovans favour joining the EU<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">It is good to enter the European Union, because then the salaries will be higher.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Maria\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Carpet factory worker in Ungheni, Moldova\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Looking West<\/h2><p>The management is seeking a further 30 employees, but many Moldovans are working in western Europe. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////policy.trade.ec.europa.eu//eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region//countries-and-regions//moldova_en#:~:text=The%20EU%20is%20Moldova's%20biggest,destined%20for%20the%20EU%20market.\"><strong>Joining the EU could bring economic stability<\/strong><\/a> to Moldova and thereby slow down the exodus of people, Podgornii believes. \u201cEU-membership will be an advantage for our company, it will help us to keep the workers in Moldova. To earn money, they are no longer obliged to leave to work abroad,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Podgornii went through this experience himself: \u201cI lived abroad, during 12 years I worked in Italy. I came back to Moldova, because I wanted to achieve something in my own country. But mostly I went back because here I feel at home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>What do the employees think about the European Union? Maria is an industrial carpet weaver: \u201cIt is good to enter the European Union, because then the salaries will be higher.\u201d Her colleague Andrei agrees: \u201cWe will sell more goods in Europe and therefore we will earn more money and our salaries will rise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Not all working on the factory floor share this pro-European enthusiasm. Another weaver, also called Maria, is sceptical about EU membership: \u201cThe prices in the shops could go up even more\u201d, she says. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////euneighbourseast.eu//news//opinion-polls//opinion-poll-finds-increasingly-positive-image-of-the-eu-in-moldova///">But most Moldovans are in favour of EU-membership<\/strong><\/a>, opinion polls indicate. Already today, Moldova has access to EU financed support programmes. That\u2019s how the carpet company was enabled to put photovoltaic panels on their rooftop, helping to bring down the electricity bill.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">This is our last chance to jump on the last wagon of this train running towards the EuropIgor Golbianean Union!<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Igor Golbian\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Owner of an organic fruit and vegetable business in Moldova\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>A first step to EU membership<\/h2><p>Lets move on to a village in the centre, close to the capital Chisinau. Moldova is a big exporter of agricultural products such as plums, apples, nuts and wine. Igor Golbian launched a start-up producing dried bio-fruit and sunflower oil. He did not find enough locals, so he hired contract workers from India.<\/p>\n<p>Golbian has plans to export to Romania, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, but it requires a lot of preparation. \u201cAs an exporter you should be well-informed about technical requirements regarding packaging rules, storage conditions, logistics, labelling, lab sampling. Right now, Moldova is in a very important move. This is our last chance to jump on the last wagon of this train running towards the European Union!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the upcoming October referendum, Moldovans will take a first decision about EU membership. But the 27 member States of the EU have a decisive word to say, too. And this could take some time. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////carnegieendowment.org//russia-eurasia//politika//2024//01//is-moldova-ready-to-pay-the-price-of-reintegrating-transnistria?lang=en\%22>And then there is still the \u201cfrozen conflict\u201d in the Moldovan east: Transnistria.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Republic of Moldova is a divided country. In the east, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2014//06//07//interview-transnistran-president-shevchuk-says-he-wants-a-civilised-divorce-/">pro-Russian separatists rule.<\/strong><\/a> As a western European journalist, I needed a special accreditation to pass the checkpoints. Around 2,000 Russian soldiers are still present in Transnistria. 34 year ago, the Russian-speaking region declared independence. But the tiny pseudo-State is not recognised, not even by Moscow \u2013 so far. <\/p>\n<p>We talked to people in the separatist capital Tiraspol to find out what they thought about Moldova possibly becoming an EU member, and what it would mean for Transnistria. Daria, a young woman, likes the idea: \u201cThat\u2019s a good initiative and it would bring advantages for both, for Transnistria and for Moldova.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tatiana, an middle-aged woman, disagrees: \u201cWe are waiting for Russia. With Russia our future will be better, beautiful and most joyful! Because we will be recognised as part of Russia. Or at least Russia will recognize us as an independent State.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Those goods became some 15 to 20 percent more expensive, due to those taxes, so now they are more expensive than the Moldovan products.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Sergei Obolnik\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n &#39;Economy Minister&#39; of Transnistria\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5439900867410161\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//73//61//00//808x439_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg/" alt=\"Hans von der Brelie discovers anti-EU sentiment in Moldova&#39;s separatist Transnistria region\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/384x209_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/640x348_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/750x408_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/828x450_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/1080x588_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/1200x653_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/1920x1044_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hans von der Brelie discovers anti-EU sentiment in Moldova&#39;s separatist Transnistria region<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">eurones<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Economic tug-of-war<\/h2><p>Transnistria\u2019s heavy industry <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2022//12//15//in-moscows-crosshairs-moldova-looks-east-and-west-to-stay-warm-this-winter/">depends on free Russian gas<\/strong><\/a>. At the end of December this could stop. The transit agreement with Ukraine will not be extended. No more Russian gas for Transnistria? That could be fatal for many big factories. There are alternative sources and pipelines, but who is going to pay? The separatists? The Moldovan government?<\/p>\n<p>Since the beginning of this year, Moldova collects export\/import duties, VAT and environmental pollution fees from Transnistrian companies and stepped up the fight against money laundering. From an EU perspective this looks like ordinary procedures just following common rules. But it\u2019s a tough blow for the Transnistrian oligarchs pulling the political and economic strings in the separatist region.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, there is suspicion that electronic pieces \u201cmade in Transnistria\u201d are being used in Russian weapons systems, in so-called \u201cdual use\u201d. Big companies such as Elektromash, Moldavisolit and Bender Potential are among the suspects.<\/p>\n<p>The head of the Transnistrian industry federation, Yuriy Mikhaylovich Cheban, denies the allegations and criticises the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.politico.eu//article//moldova-eye-energy-lever-topple-kremlin-puppet-regime-transnistria///">strict export controls introduced by the Republic of Moldova,<\/strong><\/a> calling them \u201cpolitically motivated\u201d. Euronews met him in his office in Tiraspol: \u201cMore than 40,000 people went to the streets to protest. Due to all those measures, we lost already some 70 to 80 million euros, this money is lacking now in our budget.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The so-called \u2018president\u2019 of Transnistria <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////novostipmr.com//en//news//24-07-08//reduction-revenues-single-customs-payment-directly-affects/">labelled the Moldovan taxes an \u201caggression\u201d<\/strong><\/a>. And the 'economy minister' of Transnistria, Sergei Obolnik, told Euronews: \u201cThose goods became some 15 to 20 percent more expensive, due to those taxes, so now they are more expensive than the Moldovan products. Moreover, all the needed instruments to continue to interact with the West are disappearing, because of this double taxation and the closure of some of our bank accounts in Moldova. This leads to a situation where economic collapse has almost happened.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>With or without EU<\/h2><p>Back in the capital of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, I have an appointment with the country's economy minister and deputy prime minister, Dumitru Alaiba. Preparations to integrate the Moldovan economy into the European internal market are on track and going at full speed. But what about Transnistria?, we ask him. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Euronews:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You have a separatist region in the east. How will the integration of Moldova into the European Union impact Transnistria?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dumitru Alaiba<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>This [Transnistrian] part of our economy is quite well integrated [into the European internal market], with around 80 percent of the exports going into the European Union.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Euronews:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Transnistrian \u2018government\u2019 is complaining, saying it\u2019s not fair to put big companies under \u2018embargo\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dumitru Alaiba:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When a Moldovan company producing this dual use goods is intending to export them to Russia, then we do not authorise it. Full stop.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Euronews:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Will Transnistria be part of the European Union?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dumitru Alaiba<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>Of course.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Euronews:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dumitru Alaiba:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is something that is yet to be settled\u2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>Euronews:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When Moldova will be member of the European Union?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dumitru Alaiba<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2030\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Click on the video above to see Hans' report in full.<\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1726498880,"updatedAt":1727711337,"publishedAt":1727710212,"firstPublishedAt":1727712012,"lastPublishedAt":1727710299,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/02\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_91ae09f3-2425-5b5e-b2e8-8cf417cc9324-8736102.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f065f093-68f7-5d2a-bd5d-7662c7bee74b-8736100.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":807,"height":439},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/73\/61\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_05826e32-ac36-55ce-a38d-85ffdd6d6083-8736100.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":811,"height":461}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"id":247,"urlSafeValue":"brelie","title":"Hans von der Brelie","twitter":"@euronewsreport"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10377,"slug":"transdniestria","urlSafeValue":"transdniestria","title":"Transdniestria","titleRaw":"Transdniestria"},{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"quotation","count":3}],"related":[{"id":2656868},{"id":2658784}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"R3o1g-rc_zo","dailymotionId":"x96i9oc"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/WT\/SU\/24\/09\/30\/en\/240930_WTSU_56525731_56553950_600000_172412_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":600000,"filesizeBytes":77158751,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/WT\/SU\/24\/09\/30\/en\/240930_WTSU_56525731_56553950_600000_172412_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":600000,"filesizeBytes":116844895,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"Video Editor: St\u00e9phane Petit","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"euronews-witness","urlSafeValue":"euronews-witness","title":"Euronews Witness","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/euronews-witness"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84121001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/09\/30\/moldova-at-the-crossroads-tensions-with-transnistria-ahead-of-eu-membership-referendum","lastModified":1727710299},{"id":2642210,"cid":8760898,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240929_NWSU_56630468","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA PRE-ELECTION VANDALISM","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldova accuses Russia of organising pre-election vandalism of state buildings","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldova accuses Russia of organising pre-election vandalism","titleListing2":"Moldova accuses Russia of organising pre-election vandalism of state buildings","leadin":"Tensions are rising with Moscow as Moldova's pro-western government accuses Russia of organising the vandalism of state buildings in the run-up to the election in October.","summary":"Tensions are rising with Moscow as Moldova's pro-western government accuses Russia of organising the vandalism of state buildings in the run-up to the election in October.","keySentence":"","url":"moldova-accuses-russia-of-organising-pre-election-vandalism-of-state-buildings","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/09\/29\/moldova-accuses-russia-of-organising-pre-election-vandalism-of-state-buildings","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldova has blamed a recent spate of attacks on government and state buildings in the capital Chisinau on Moscow, saying Russia is trying to influence next month's election.\n\nIn just four weeks time Moldova will hold both a presidential election and a referendum on EU membership - on October 20th.\n\nThe government has repeatedly accused Russia of conducting a \u201chybrid war\u201d against the country, meddling in local elections and running vast disinformation campaigns to try to topple the government and derail its path toward joining the EU.\n\nEarly on Friday morning the buildings of the Supreme Court and the state-run broadcaster were both sprayed with paint, and overnight on Thursday the Ministry for Labour and Social Protection was also spray-painted.\n\nThe police say they have made a number of arrests and are investigating leads that Moscow may have organised the attacks.\n\nUS support for Moldova\n\nIn May, US secretary of state Antony Blinken pledged \u20ac124 million in aid to Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation.\n\n\u201cThat in turn will bolster the ability of Moldovans to resist Russian interference, to hold free and fair elections, to continue down the path to the European Union and Western integration, to create more economic opportunity,\u201d Blinken said during his visit to Chisinau.\n\nMoldova, with about 2.5 million people, used to be entirely dependent on Russia for its natural gas supplies. It faced an acute energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced supplies in the winter of 2022.\n\nMoldova's energy woes worsened that year after it suffered temporary blackouts because its Soviet-era energy systems remained connected with Ukraine's, which were being hit hard by Russia's military.\n\nRussia's influence in Transnistria\n\nSince Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, fears have risen in neighbouring Moldova that it could also be in Moscow\u2019s crosshairs.\n\nLike Ukraine, Moldova is a former Soviet republic that has aligned itself with the West and aspires to join the European Union. \n\nMoldova gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991 and after a short war in the early 1990s, Transnistria declared independence from Moldova.\n\nAlthough Transnistria\u2019s independence isn\u2019t recognised by any U.N. member countries, including Russia, the Kremlin-friendly territory has become a source of tension during the war, especially since it is wedged between Moldova and Ukraine and is home to a military base with 1,500 Russian troops.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldova has blamed a recent spate of attacks on government and state buildings in the capital Chisinau on Moscow, saying Russia is trying to influence next month's election.<\/p>\n<p>In just four weeks time Moldova will hold both a presidential election and a referendum on EU membership - on October 20th.<\/p>\n<p>The government has repeatedly <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//02//28//moldovan-breakaway-region-seeks-russias-help-amid-escalating-tensions-with-pro-western-gov/">accused Russia of conducting a \u201chybrid war\u201d against the country, meddling in local elections and running vast disinformation campaigns to try to topple the government and derail its path toward joining the EU.<\/p>\n<p>Early on Friday morning the buildings of the Supreme Court and the state-run broadcaster were both sprayed with paint, and overnight on Thursday the Ministry for Labour and Social Protection was also spray-painted.<\/p>\n<p>The police say they have made a number of arrests and are investigating leads that Moscow may have organised the attacks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1840142719877845153\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1840142725368156262\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3>US support for Moldova<\/h3><p>In May, US secretary of state Antony Blinken pledged \u20ac124 million in aid to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//moldova/">Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat in turn will bolster the ability of Moldovans to resist Russian interference, to hold free and fair elections, to continue down the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//03//12//draft-framework-for-ukraine-moldovas-accession-talks-ready-says-eu-commission/">path to the European Union and Western integration, to create more economic opportunity,\u201d Blinken said during his visit to Chisinau.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova, with about 2.5 million people, used to be entirely dependent on Russia for its natural gas supplies. It faced an acute energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced supplies in the winter of 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova's energy woes worsened that year after it suffered temporary blackouts because its Soviet-era energy systems remained connected with Ukraine's, which were being hit hard by Russia's military.<\/p>\n<h3>Russia's influence in Transnistria<\/h3><p>Since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, fears have risen in neighbouring Moldova that it could also be in Moscow\u2019s crosshairs.<\/p>\n<p>Like Ukraine, Moldova is a former Soviet republic that has aligned itself with the West and aspires to join the European Union. <\/p>\n<p>Moldova gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991 and after a short war in the early 1990s, Transnistria declared independence from Moldova.<\/p>\n<p>Although Transnistria\u2019s independence isn\u2019t recognised by any U.N. member countries, including Russia, the Kremlin-friendly territory has become a source of tension during the war, especially since it is wedged between Moldova and Ukraine and is home to a military base with 1,500 Russian troops.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1727599770,"updatedAt":1727615116,"publishedAt":1727606843,"firstPublishedAt":1727606843,"lastPublishedAt":1727606843,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/76\/08\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b2b0f835-6dd2-5351-8a0d-1aad7109d382-8760898.jpg","altText":"FILE - A woman runs past the government building, decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags in Chisinau, Moldova, on May 31, 2023","caption":"FILE - A woman runs past the government building, decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags in Chisinau, Moldova, on May 31, 2023","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vadim Ghirda\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":1074,"urlSafeValue":"bellamy","title":"Daniel Bellamy","twitter":"danbel"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":15140,"slug":"secim-mitingi","urlSafeValue":"secim-mitingi","title":"election campaign","titleRaw":"election campaign"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2655188}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/09\/29\/moldova-accuses-russia-of-organising-pre-election-vandalism-of-state-buildings","lastModified":1727606843},{"id":2572870,"cid":8533220,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240627_NWSU_55897514","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVANS ON EU HOPES","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldovans and Ukrainians remain hopeful over potential EU membership ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldovans and Ukrainians remain hopeful over potential EU membership ","titleListing2":"Moldovans and Ukrainians remain hopeful over potential EU membership ","leadin":"After Brussels recently opened negotiations with the two Eastern European countries keen to join the EU, Moldovans and Ukrainians alike hope for a quick transition that would allow them to join the greater European family.","summary":"After Brussels recently opened negotiations with the two Eastern European countries keen to join the EU, Moldovans and Ukrainians alike hope for a quick transition that would allow them to join the greater European family.","keySentence":"","url":"moldovans-and-ukrainians-remain-hopeful-over-potential-eu-membership","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/06\/27\/moldovans-and-ukrainians-remain-hopeful-over-potential-eu-membership","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Two countries in Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Moldova, aim to join the European Union by the end of the decade. \n\nThe EU negotiations with both, one of which is at war, have just started. \n\nShortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Kyiv applied for EU membership. Neighbouring Moldova \u2014 which has its own reasons to fear an escalation from Moscow due to the issues regarding the Kremlin-controlled separatist region of Transnistria \u2014 followed with its application shortly afterwards. \n\nBoth countries were granted candidate member status in a political decision intended to support the pair in peril, and now, they're at the negotiating table.\n\nHowever, gaining full membership will not be easy, as Ukraine and Moldova, both former Soviet republics, still need to implement many reforms in areas such as the economy and the judiciary.\n\nMoldovan MP Eugeniu Sinchevici said joining the bloc is crucial: \u201cOnly now have we started to have a really democratic and free society, and we want to maintain that \u2014 and the European Union will make sure of that.\u201d\n\nHowever, opposing voices in Moldovan politics remain, some of which are keen to stay close to Moscow instead.\n\nNikita Romensky, a spokesperson for the youth department of the Socialist Party of Moldova \u2014 the party of former President Igor Dodon, who is currently facing trial for corruption \u2014 is against what he calls the \"westernisation\" of Moldova.\n\n\u201cWe must also pay extra attention to good ties with the East, with Russia, with Belarus, with our traditional partners,\u201d the Eurosceptic and Russophilic party rep said. \n\nFor ordinary people, potential accession to the EU is seen as mostly positive.\n\nOlha Shyvchik comes from Ukraine, but her daughter Julia was born in Moldova just two months after the start of the war. \n\nWhile life is not easy for the pair, the start of the EU negotiations still makes Olha hopeful.\n\n\u201cI want my daughter to be part of the European Union, to live in the European Union, in a civilised and developed country,\u201d she says, \u201cThat she gets a chance to study, to have a chance at freedom of expression. I really want this.\u201d\n\nShe\u2019s aware of the changes her country has to face before it joins the bloc.\n\n\u201cJoining the European Union means that Ukraine is no longer corrupt at all. Therefore, this will not happen anytime soon. This must be done step by step, slowly, gradually,\u201d Olha muses.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Two countries in Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Moldova, aim to join the European Union by the end of the decade. <\/p>\n<p>The EU negotiations with both, one of which is at war, have just started. <\/p>\n<p>Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Kyiv applied for EU membership. Neighbouring Moldova \u2014 which has its own reasons to fear an escalation from Moscow due to the issues regarding the Kremlin-controlled separatist region of Transnistria \u2014 followed with its application shortly afterwards. <\/p>\n<p>Both countries were granted candidate member status in a political decision intended to support the pair in peril, and now, they're at the negotiating table.<\/p>\n<p>However, gaining full membership will not be easy, as Ukraine and Moldova, both former Soviet republics, still need to implement many reforms in areas such as the economy and the judiciary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1805551453584371952\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Moldovan MP Eugeniu Sinchevici said joining the bloc is crucial: \u201cOnly now have we started to have a really democratic and free society, and we want to maintain that \u2014 and the European Union will make sure of that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, opposing voices in Moldovan politics remain, some of which are keen to stay close to Moscow instead.<\/p>\n<p>Nikita Romensky, a spokesperson for the youth department of the Socialist Party of Moldova \u2014 the party of former President Igor Dodon, who is currently facing trial for corruption \u2014 is against what he calls the \"westernisation\" of Moldova.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must also pay extra attention to good ties with the East, with Russia, with Belarus, with our traditional partners,\u201d the Eurosceptic and Russophilic party rep said. <\/p>\n<p>For ordinary people, potential accession to the EU is seen as mostly positive.<\/p>\n<p>Olha Shyvchik comes from Ukraine, but her daughter Julia was born in Moldova just two months after the start of the war. <\/p>\n<p>While life is not easy for the pair, the start of the EU negotiations still makes Olha hopeful.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want my daughter to be part of the European Union, to live in the European Union, in a civilised and developed country,\u201d she says, \u201cThat she gets a chance to study, to have a chance at freedom of expression. I really want this.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8528004,8518306\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//06//20//hungarian-hold-on-eus-enlargement-policy-cannot-continue-says-eu-moldova-delegation-chair/">Hungarian hold on EU\u2019s enlargement policy cannot continue, says EU-Moldova delegation chair<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//06//25//ukraine-and-moldova-enter-formal-membership-talks-with-the-european-union/">Ukraine and Moldova enter formal membership talks with the European Union<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>She\u2019s aware of the changes her country has to face before it joins the bloc.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJoining the European Union means that Ukraine is no longer corrupt at all. Therefore, this will not happen anytime soon. This must be done step by step, slowly, gradually,\u201d Olha muses.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1719443392,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1719485714,"firstPublishedAt":1719485714,"lastPublishedAt":1719485714,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/53\/32\/20\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_61c4c0dc-73a9-58b2-a221-2727fc487c88-8533220.jpg","altText":"Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean waits for the start of the EU-Moldova Association Council at the European Council building in Brussels in May","caption":"Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean waits for the start of the EU-Moldova Association Council at the European Council building in Brussels in May","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Geert Vanden Wijngaert\/The AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/53\/32\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fcd9219d-8b1a-58b6-9cdf-38195140319e-8533226.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Captura de v\u00eddeo de AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"},{"id":8263,"slug":"vladimir-putin","urlSafeValue":"vladimir-putin","title":"Vladimir Putin","titleRaw":"Vladimir Putin"},{"id":26692,"slug":"war-in-ukraine","urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","title":"War in Ukraine","titleRaw":"War in Ukraine"},{"id":19400,"slug":"volodymyr-zelensky","urlSafeValue":"volodymyr-zelensky","title":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy","titleRaw":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy"},{"id":29362,"slug":"eu-membership","urlSafeValue":"eu-membership","title":"EU membership","titleRaw":"EU membership"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2558472},{"id":2520304},{"id":2658784}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"szCRAKyNJXs","dailymotionId":"x911b2e"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/06\/27\/en\/240627_NWSU_55897514_55897535_92360_102125_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":92360,"filesizeBytes":12032587,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/06\/27\/en\/240627_NWSU_55897514_55897535_92360_102125_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":92360,"filesizeBytes":17777739,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"EBU","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_science','gs_science_geography','eu_brussels_politics_es','gt_positive','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/06\/27\/moldovans-and-ukrainians-remain-hopeful-over-potential-eu-membership","lastModified":1719485714},{"id":2552710,"cid":8467882,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240530_NWSU_55665375","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"BLINKEN IN MOLDOVA","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"US pledges \u20ac124 million in aid to Moldova to counter Russian influence","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"","titleListing2":"US pledges \u20ac124 million in aid to Moldova to counter Russian influence","leadin":"Some \u20ac78 million will be directed to bolster energy infrastructure and \u20ac46 million to overhaul key industries and deter disinformation.","summary":"Some \u20ac78 million will be directed to bolster energy infrastructure and \u20ac46 million to overhaul key industries and deter disinformation.","keySentence":"","url":"us-pledges-124-million-in-aid-to-moldova-to-counter-russian-influence","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/05\/30\/us-pledges-124-million-in-aid-to-moldova-to-counter-russian-influence","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"US secretary of state Antony Blinken pledged \u20ac124 million in aid to Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation on Wednesday.\n\nBlinken opened a short visit to eastern Europe with a stop in Chisinau, Moldova's capital, where he announced the assistance at a news conference with president Maia Sandu.\n\nAmerica's top diplomat said \u20ac78 million would go to bolster energy infrastructure and \u20ac46 million was aimed at overhauling the energy and farming industries and deterring disinformation.\n\n\u201cThat in turn will bolster the ability of Moldovans to resist Russian interference, to hold free and fair elections, to continue down the path to the European Union and Western integration, to create more economic opportunity,\u201d Blinken said. \n\n\u201cOne of the other things that\u2019s so important is sharing information about disinformation and misinformation, which is one of the most potent hybrid tools that Russia uses \u2014 and that\u2019s something that we are doing.\u201d\n\nBefore Wednesday's announced aid, the US had provided Moldova with\u00a0\u20ac716\u00a0million in financial aid since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. Some\u00a0\u20ac277\u00a0million of that was earmarked for energy security.\n\nMoldova, with about 2.5 million people, used to be entirely dependent on Russia for its natural gas supplies. It faced an acute energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced supplies in the winter of 2022. \n\nMoldova's energy woes worsened that year after it suffered temporary blackouts because its Soviet-era energy systems remained connected with Ukraine's, which were being hit hard by Russia's military.\n\nSandu thanked the US on Wednesday for its financial support, which she said has helped Moldova broaden its energy sources and bolster its economy.\n\n\u201cWe managed to strengthen our energy security from a total dependence on the Russian power resources,\u201d she said. \u201cToday, we source natural gas from several sources including the ones of the United States.\u201d\n\nMoldova has repeatedly accused Russia of conducting a \u201chybrid war\u201d against the country, meddling in local elections and running vast disinformation campaigns to try to topple the government and derail its path toward joining the EU.\n\n\u201cRussia is trying to undermine Moldova, undermine its democratic institutions, undermining its ability to make decisions about its own future using a whole variety of hybrid means,\u201d Blinken said. \n\n\u201cI think Moldova has done a remarkable job in countering many of those attacks.\u201d\n\n","htmlText":"<p>US secretary of state Antony Blinken pledged \u20ac124 million in aid to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//moldova/">Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Blinken opened a short visit to eastern Europe with a stop in Chisinau, Moldova's capital, where he announced the assistance at a news conference with president Maia Sandu.<\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//usa/">America's top diplomat said \u20ac78 million would go to bolster energy infrastructure and \u20ac46 million was aimed at overhauling the energy and farming industries and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//03//12//moldova-protests-russian-voting-stations-in-transnistria/">deterring disinformation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat in turn will bolster the ability of Moldovans to resist Russian interference, to hold free and fair elections, to continue down the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//03//12//draft-framework-for-ukraine-moldovas-accession-talks-ready-says-eu-commission/">path to the European Union and Western integration, to create more economic opportunity,\u201d Blinken said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the other things that\u2019s so important is sharing information about disinformation and misinformation, which is one of the most potent hybrid tools that Russia uses \u2014 and that\u2019s something that we are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1795831060426862815\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Before Wednesday's announced aid, the US had provided Moldova with\u00a0\u20ac716\u00a0million in financial aid since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. Some\u00a0\u20ac277\u00a0million of that was earmarked for energy security.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova, with about 2.5 million people, used to be entirely dependent on Russia for its natural gas supplies. It faced an acute energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced supplies in the winter of 2022. <\/p>\n<p>Moldova's energy woes worsened that year after it suffered temporary blackouts because its Soviet-era energy systems remained connected with Ukraine's, which were being hit hard by Russia's military.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1795968187718140262\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sandu thanked the US on Wednesday for its financial support, which she said has helped Moldova broaden its energy sources and bolster its economy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe managed to strengthen our energy security from a total <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//12//20//belgian-army-chief-cautions-on-russian-threat-to-moldova-and-baltic-states/">dependence on the Russian power resources,\u201d she said. \u201cToday, we source natural gas from several sources including the ones of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Moldova has repeatedly <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//02//28//moldovan-breakaway-region-seeks-russias-help-amid-escalating-tensions-with-pro-western-gov/">accused Russia of conducting a \u201chybrid war\u201d against the country, meddling in local elections and running vast disinformation campaigns to try to topple the government and derail its path toward joining the EU.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1795884154053087432\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cRussia is trying to undermine Moldova, undermine its democratic institutions, undermining its ability to make decisions about its own future using a whole variety of hybrid means,\u201d Blinken said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think Moldova has done a remarkable job in countering many of those attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1717016111,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1717059655,"firstPublishedAt":1717059661,"lastPublishedAt":1717059655,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/46\/78\/92\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7ab715a8-5bc6-536c-be70-70a56c7ebef3-8467892.jpg","altText":"US Secretary of State Blinken talks with Moldova's Prime Minister Recean during a visit to Moldelectrica Chisinau Substation in Braila, May 29, 2024, ","caption":"US Secretary of State Blinken talks with Moldova's Prime Minister Recean during a visit to Moldelectrica Chisinau Substation in Braila, May 29, 2024, ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/46\/78\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3b890b84-4024-5335-965e-924808594708-8467882.jpg","altText":"United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Moldova's President Maia Sandu arrive at the Moldovan Presidency in Chisinau, Moldova, Wednesday, May 29, 2024.","caption":"United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Moldova's President Maia Sandu arrive at the Moldovan Presidency in Chisinau, Moldova, Wednesday, May 29, 2024.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":24426,"slug":"antony-blinken","urlSafeValue":"antony-blinken","title":"Antony BLINKEN","titleRaw":"Antony BLINKEN"},{"id":447,"slug":"usa","urlSafeValue":"usa","title":"USA","titleRaw":"USA"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":3}],"related":[{"id":2509614},{"id":2498194}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"cpbz4Wc0ASg","dailymotionId":"x8zbnac"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/05\/30\/en\/240530_NWSU_55665375_55665529_63840_105039_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":63840,"filesizeBytes":8351522,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/05\/30\/en\/240530_NWSU_55665375_55665529_63840_105039_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":63840,"filesizeBytes":12198178,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":"'gt_negative','gt_negative_mistrust','gt_negative_anger','gv_military','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/05\/30\/us-pledges-124-million-in-aid-to-moldova-to-counter-russian-influence","lastModified":1717059655},{"id":2520304,"cid":8369970,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240412_NWSU_55281410","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"MOLDOVA EU VOTE RUSSIA INFLUCENCE","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU candidate Moldova takes action to prevent Russian influence in referendum","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":" EU candidate Moldova acts to prevent Russian influence in referendum","titleListing2":"EU candidate Moldova takes action to prevent Russian influence in referendum","leadin":"The US Institute for War Studies warned Moldova that Russia could try to destabilise the country ahead of presidential elections and the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.","summary":"The US Institute for War Studies warned Moldova that Russia could try to destabilise the country ahead of presidential elections and the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-candidate-moldova-takes-action-to-prevent-russian-influence-in-referendum","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/04\/12\/eu-candidate-moldova-takes-action-to-prevent-russian-influence-in-referendum","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Maia Sandu, the president of Moldova, is a staunch supporter of the European path, but she also has many opponents, and public opinion is divided. \n\nSandu has repeatedly raised concerns about Moscow\u2019s intentions towards the country and about the presence of Russian soldiers in the breakway Transnistria region. \n\nAs the presidential elections and the referendum on joining the EU approach, various political and social organisations are becoming active in Moldova, some that believe Moldova should not only join the EU, but that it should also unite with Romania. \n\nMoldova is one of the poorest European countries, therefore it is thought Russian money could strongly influence the vote.\u00a0The task of the authorities is to stop the circulation of illegal money, as it is accused of trying to do in Moldova's recent municipal elections. \n\nTo counter this, the Center for Strategic Communication has been created and the authorities are being trained to react proactively - to catch and expose fake news as soon as it appears. \n\nLast month a report by Moldova\u2019s Intelligence and Security Services, or SIS, warned of ''unprecedented'' Russian interference saying it has gathered data indicating Moscow plans to launch vast hybrid attacks against Chisinau throughout 2024 and 2025 to try to bring the former Soviet republic back under Moscow\u2019s influence. \n\nMoscow opposes its former Soviet-era ally joining the EU, but has dismissed allegations of political interference. \n\nPresident Maia Sandu announced plans in December to hold a constitutional referendum later this year on EU membership. Moldova was officially granted candidate status on 22 June 2022.\u00a0 \n\nSandu is hoping to win a second term in office in the presidential elections in November. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Maia Sandu, the president of Moldova, is a staunch supporter of the European path, but she also has many opponents, and public opinion is divided.<\/p>\n<p>Sandu has repeatedly raised concerns about Moscow\u2019s intentions towards the country and about the presence of Russian soldiers in the breakway Transnistria region.<\/p>\n<p>As the presidential elections and the referendum on joining the EU approach, various political and social organisations are becoming active in Moldova, some that believe Moldova should not only join the EU, but that it should also unite with Romania.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova is one of the poorest European countries, therefore it is thought Russian money could strongly influence the vote.\u00a0The task of the authorities is to stop the circulation of illegal money, as it is accused of trying to do in Moldova&#039;s recent municipal elections.<\/p>\n<p>To counter this, the Center for Strategic Communication has been created and the authorities are being trained to react proactively - to catch and expose fake news as soon as it appears.<\/p>\n<p>Last month a report by Moldova\u2019s Intelligence and Security Services, or SIS, warned of &#039;&#039;unprecedented&#039;&#039; Russian interference saying it has gathered data indicating Moscow plans to launch vast hybrid attacks against Chisinau throughout 2024 and 2025 to try to bring the former Soviet republic back under Moscow\u2019s influence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//36//99//70//808x454_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg/" alt=\"Moldovan President Maia Sandu has raised concerns Russia will try to influence voters in the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/384x216_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/640x360_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/750x422_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/828x466_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/1080x608_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/1200x675_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/1920x1080_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Moldovan President Maia Sandu has raised concerns Russia will try to influence voters in the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Moscow opposes its former Soviet-era ally joining the EU, but has dismissed allegations of political interference.<\/p>\n<p>President Maia Sandu announced plans in December to hold a constitutional referendum later this year on EU membership. Moldova was officially granted candidate status on 22 June 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sandu is hoping to win a second term in office in the presidential elections in November.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1712921724,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1712942549,"firstPublishedAt":1712942553,"lastPublishedAt":1712942553,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1faf5f1b-6ecb-5fc5-80a2-891a0f7d03b4-8369970.jpg","altText":"FILE - People holding European Union and Moldovan flags fill the Great National Assembly Square in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, May 21, 2023. ","caption":"FILE - People holding European Union and Moldovan flags fill the Great National Assembly Square in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, May 21, 2023. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Aurel Obreja","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3905,"height":2196},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f7cb9608-e17d-5e22-b7d3-32528e6d591a-8369970.jpg","altText":"Moldovan President Maia Sandu has raised concerns Russia will try to influence voters in the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.","caption":"Moldovan President Maia Sandu has raised concerns Russia will try to influence voters in the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/36\/99\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d391d2ad-d345-5e66-911c-b861f6bf3f8f-8369976.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Aurel Obreja\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3515,"height":2343}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":12747,"slug":"fake-news","urlSafeValue":"fake-news","title":"fake news","titleRaw":"fake news"},{"id":11939,"slug":"elections","urlSafeValue":"elections","title":"Elections","titleRaw":"Elections"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2498326},{"id":2489142},{"id":2572870}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"SswDdnylfRQ","dailymotionId":"x8wpu70"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/04\/12\/en\/240412_NWSU_55281410_55284808_108000_181059_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":108000,"filesizeBytes":13783822,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/04\/12\/en\/240412_NWSU_55281410_55284808_108000_181059_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":108000,"filesizeBytes":20845326,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_politics','gt_negative','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_science','gt_negative_mistrust','gs_politics_elections','gs_science_geography','gt_negative_fear','eu_brussels_politics_it','gs_law'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/04\/12\/eu-candidate-moldova-takes-action-to-prevent-russian-influence-in-referendum","lastModified":1712942553},{"id":2509614,"cid":8337436,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240402_MASU_55163736","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"BALKAN TRAFIK! IN MOLDOVA","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Balkan Trafik! Festival shines spotlight on Moldova","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Balkan Trafik! Festival shines spotlight on Moldova","leadin":"For the past 20 years, the Balkan Trafik! Festival, held every April in Brussels, highlights cultures and music from across the Balkans through workshops, exhibitions, food and wine.","summary":"For the past 20 years, the Balkan Trafik! Festival, held every April in Brussels, highlights cultures and music from across the Balkans through workshops, exhibitions, food and wine.","keySentence":"","url":"balkan-trafik-festival-shines-spotlight-on-moldova","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2024\/04\/05\/balkan-trafik-festival-shines-spotlight-on-moldova","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldova, a former Soviet Republic, lies between Ukraine and Romania. \n\nThe territory teeters on the edge of Europe, and it includes the pro-Russian autonomous territories of Transnistria and Gagauzia. \n\nAt the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a Russian street artist decided to repaint an old abandoned Soviet hotel in the center of the Moldovan capital. \n\nThe artwork represented the fragments of Moldovan society - showcasing mixed cultures such as the Gagauzes, a Turkish, Orthodox and Russian-speaking minority. \n\nThese fragments are what the Balkan Trafik! Festival hopes it can bring together. \n\n\"Balkan Trafik!, it's about big stars recognised internationally like Goran Bregovic, even Manu Chao this year and others, but it's also a way of illuminating all these diversities, whether minorities, here we are talking about Gagauzia which is a minority of Moldova, and that is also the interest of the festival, to discover a region through its culture, its minorities, its diversity. \n\nThe Balkan Trafik! Festival is held every year in April in Brussels, also showcases Moldovan groups little known outside their borders. \n\nGroups such as Kolay Sesleri (Simple Sounds), will also be in Brussels with dozens of other groups and artists for Balkan Trafik! from 25-27 April. \n\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldova, a former Soviet Republic, lies between Ukraine and Romania.<\/p>\n<p>The territory teeters on the edge of Europe, and it includes the pro-Russian autonomous territories of Transnistria and Gagauzia.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a Russian street artist decided to repaint an old abandoned Soviet hotel in the center of the Moldovan capital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8323810\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2024//03//25//spain-reigns-supreme-in-streetartcities-2023-awards-celebrating-the-best-murals-across-the/">Spain reigns supreme in StreetArtCities 2023 Awards celebrating the best murals across the globe<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The artwork represented the fragments of Moldovan society - showcasing mixed cultures such as the Gagauzes, a Turkish, Orthodox and Russian-speaking minority.<\/p>\n<p>These fragments are what the Balkan Trafik! Festival hopes it can bring together.<\/p>\n<p>\"Balkan Trafik!, it&#039;s about big stars recognised internationally like Goran Bregovic, even Manu Chao this year and others, but it&#039;s also a way of illuminating all these diversities, whether minorities, here we are talking about Gagauzia which is a minority of Moldova, and that is also the interest of the festival, to discover a region through its culture, its minorities, its diversity.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1775063919494615065\"><\/div>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Balkan Trafik! Festival mixes pop and politics with a large dash of culture<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.balkantrafik.com///">Balkan Trafik! Festival<\/strong><\/a> is held every year in April in Brussels, also showcases Moldovan groups little known outside their borders.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/C46GslTtwJz\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//reel//C46GslTtwJz//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//reel//C46GslTtwJz//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by \u0413\u0440\u0443\u043f\u043f\u0430 \u00abKOLAY SESLERI\u00bb \ud83c\udf38 (@kolayvoices)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"////www.instagram.com//embed.js/"> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Groups such as Kolay Sesleri (Simple Sounds), will also be in Brussels with dozens of other groups and artists for Balkan Trafik! from 25-27 April.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1711644699,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1712330385,"firstPublishedAt":1712330390,"lastPublishedAt":1712330820,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/33\/74\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_66c6f3d7-1438-5583-8476-b9192c5f2357-8337438.jpg","altText":"Kolau Sesleri","caption":"Kolau Sesleri","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Ponsard, Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":270,"urlSafeValue":"ponsard","title":"Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Ponsard","twitter":"@fredponsard"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":11646,"slug":"music","urlSafeValue":"music","title":"Music","titleRaw":"Music"},{"id":10843,"slug":"music-festival","urlSafeValue":"music-festival","title":"Music festival","titleRaw":"Music festival"},{"id":18,"slug":"balkans","urlSafeValue":"balkans","title":"Balkans","titleRaw":"Balkans"},{"id":3289,"slug":"chisinau","urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau","titleRaw":"Chisinau"},{"id":4129,"slug":"brussels","urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels","titleRaw":"Brussels"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"html","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2488216},{"id":2552710}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"H0S-mWGBp-Y","dailymotionId":"x8wdezc"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/MA\/SU\/24\/04\/02\/en\/240402_MASU_55163736_55163782_120000_185928_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":120000,"filesizeBytes":15246185,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/MA\/SU\/24\/04\/02\/en\/240402_MASU_55163736_55163782_120000_185928_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":120000,"filesizeBytes":22959977,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"cult","urlSafeValue":"cult","title":"Cult","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-series\/cult"},"vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-series","urlSafeValue":"culture-series","title":"Culture Series","url":"\/culture\/culture-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":55,"urlSafeValue":"culture-series","title":"Culture series"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_entertain_music','gs_busfin'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/culture\/2024\/04\/05\/balkan-trafik-festival-shines-spotlight-on-moldova","lastModified":1712330820},{"id":2498194,"cid":8301648,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240312_NWSU_55032234","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"RU AMBASSADOR IN MOLDOVA SUMMONED","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldova protests Russian voting stations in Transnistria","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"","titleListing2":"Moldova protests Russian voting stations in Transnistria","leadin":"The eastern European country summoned Russia's ambassador on Tuesday, after Moscow decided to open polling stations for Russian elections in the Transnistrian region without its consent.","summary":"The eastern European country summoned Russia's ambassador on Tuesday, after Moscow decided to open polling stations for Russian elections in the Transnistrian region without its consent.","keySentence":"","url":"moldova-protests-russian-voting-stations-in-transnistria","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/03\/12\/moldova-protests-russian-voting-stations-in-transnistria","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldova has slammed Moscow's decision to open polling stations in the breakaway Transnistria region ahead of presidential elections in Russia on 15 -17 March, summoning\u00a0 the Russian ambassador on Tuesday. \n\nTransnistria is not recognised internationally as a sovereign state, with the\u00a0 EU \u00a0defining the territory as militarily occupation by Russia.\u00a0 \n\nAlthough officially unrecognised, Transnistria is a de\u00a0facto presidential republic within Moldova - with its own government, parliament and military. \n\n\"The State of the Republic of Moldova acts where it can control the environment and accordingly we will not admit violations on the territory controlled by the constitutional authorities,\"\u00a0Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of Moldova, told journalists after the meeting. \n\nThe Russian ambassador said Russian diplomacy would respect the right to vote of all Russian citizens.\u00a0 \n\nSome 200,000 Russian citizens live in Transnistria, according to local pro-Russian authorities.\u00a0 \n\n\"There have been many requests to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as to the Embassy. People [with Russian citizenship] asked for their legal right to vote,\"\u00a0Oleg Vasnetsov, Russian Ambassador to Moldova, said. \n\nOn Monday, local media announced that the Russian Federation will open six polling stations in the Transnistria region and people with expired or Soviet-era passports able to vote. \n\nVoting in Russia's upcoming presidential election - which Vladimir Putin is all but certain to win - extends to territories annexed by Russia, including Crimea and the occupied parts of southeastern Ukraine.\u00a0 \n\nRussian personnel fighting in Ukraine have already begun to cast their ballots for the vote between 15 to 17 March, despite resistance by Kyiv.\u00a0 \n\nThe past two years have been the hardest and most tumultuous for European Union candidate Moldova in more than three decades as it faces threats from Russia in multiple spheres of public life, the country's foreign minister has said.\u00a0 \n\nSince Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, fears have grown in Moldova that the country is also in the Kremlin's crosshairs.\u00a0 \n\nThese included errant missiles landing on its territory; a severe energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced gas supplies; rampant inflation; and protests by pro-Russia parties against the pro-Western government.\u00a0 \n\nMoldova has also taken in the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita of any country. \n\nMoldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Russia continues to see the country - sandwiched between Ukraine and EU member Romania - as within its sphere of influence. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldova has slammed Moscow&#039;s decision to open polling stations in the breakaway Transnistria region ahead of presidential elections in Russia on 15 -17 March, summoning\u00a0the Russian ambassador on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Transnistria is not recognised internationally as a sovereign state, with the\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//03//12//draft-framework-for-ukraine-moldovas-accession-talks-ready-says-eu-commission/">EU/u00a0defining the territory as militarily occupation by Russia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Although officially unrecognised, Transnistria is a de\u00a0facto presidential republic within Moldova - with its own government, parliament and military.<\/p>\n<p>\"The State of the Republic of Moldova acts where it can control the environment and accordingly we will not admit violations on the territory controlled by the constitutional authorities,\"\u00a0Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of Moldova, told journalists after the meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Russian ambassador said Russian diplomacy would respect the right to vote of all Russian citizens.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Some 200,000 Russian citizens live in Transnistria, according to local pro-Russian authorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"There have been many requests to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as to the Embassy. People [with Russian citizenship] asked for their legal right to vote,\"\u00a0Oleg Vasnetsov, Russian Ambassador to Moldova, said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//30//16//48//808x539_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg/" alt=\"Moldova&apos;s Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi speaks during joint statements with Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu in Bucharest, Romania, Feb. 6, 2024.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/384x256_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/640x427_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/750x500_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/828x552_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/1080x720_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/1200x800_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/1920x1281_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Moldova&apos;s Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi speaks during joint statements with Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu in Bucharest, Romania, Feb. 6, 2024.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Associated Press<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On Monday, local media announced that the Russian Federation will open six polling stations in the Transnistria region and people with expired or Soviet-era passports able to vote.<\/p>\n<p>Voting in Russia&#039;s upcoming presidential election - which Vladimir Putin is all but certain to win - extends to territories annexed by Russia, including Crimea and the occupied parts of southeastern Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Russian personnel fighting in Ukraine have already begun to cast their ballots for the vote between 15 to 17 March, despite resistance by Kyiv.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The past two years have been the hardest and most tumultuous for European Union <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//03//12//draft-framework-for-ukraine-moldovas-accession-talks-ready-says-eu-commission/">candidate Moldova in more than three decades as it faces threats from Russia in multiple spheres of public life, the country&#039;s foreign minister has said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, fears have grown in Moldova that the country is also in the Kremlin&#039;s crosshairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>These included errant missiles landing on its territory; a severe energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced gas supplies; rampant inflation; and protests by pro-Russia parties against the pro-Western government.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Moldova has also taken in the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita of any country.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Russia continues to see the country - sandwiched between Ukraine and EU member Romania - as within its sphere of influence.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1710250086,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1710274803,"firstPublishedAt":1710274806,"lastPublishedAt":1710274806,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/56\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2294f1f8-b0cc-5c6e-8e52-0f5ec683dbbc-8301656.jpg","altText":"Protests in Moldova","caption":"Protests in Moldova","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Associated Press","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/30\/16\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c76b641b-743e-538e-883c-e0e5c860a0f0-8301648.jpg","altText":"Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi speaks during joint statements with Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu in Bucharest, Romania, Feb. 6, 2024.","caption":"Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi speaks during joint statements with Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu in Bucharest, Romania, Feb. 6, 2024.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Associated Press","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":26768,"slug":"transnistria","urlSafeValue":"transnistria","title":"Transnistria ","titleRaw":"Transnistria "},{"id":14088,"slug":"russian-presidential-elections","urlSafeValue":"russian-presidential-elections","title":"Russian presidential elections","titleRaw":"Russian presidential elections"},{"id":9639,"slug":"diplomatic-tension","urlSafeValue":"diplomatic-tension","title":"Diplomatic tension","titleRaw":"Diplomatic tension"},{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2498278}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"GBmyBwoS84o","dailymotionId":"x8uaw06"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/03\/12\/en\/240312_NWSU_55032234_55032270_100080_204748_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":100080,"filesizeBytes":12859909,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/03\/12\/en\/240312_NWSU_55032234_55032270_100080_204748_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":100080,"filesizeBytes":19358213,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Eloise Hardy","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe_from_high','pos_ukrainecriris_ru','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gb_sensitive_edu','gb_sensitive_high_med','gb_sensitive_high_med_low','gb_sensitive_news-ent','gs_society_misc','gt_negative','gt_negative_anger','gs_society','gs_politics_elections','gs_business_management'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/03\/12\/moldova-protests-russian-voting-stations-in-transnistria","lastModified":1710274806},{"id":2489142,"cid":8273722,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240228_NWSU_54925061","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"web moldova transnistria ukraine russia","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Moldovan breakaway region seeks Russia's help amid escalating tensions with pro-Western government","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Moldovan breakaway region appeals to Russia for 'protection'","titleListing2":"Moldovan breakaway region seeks Russia's help amid escalating tensions with pro-Western government","leadin":"Transnistria is one of numerous European regions where Moscow claims ethnic Russians are under threat.","summary":"Transnistria is one of numerous European regions where Moscow claims ethnic Russians are under threat.","keySentence":"","url":"moldovan-breakaway-region-seeks-russias-help-amid-escalating-tensions-with-pro-western-gov","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/02\/28\/moldovan-breakaway-region-seeks-russias-help-amid-escalating-tensions-with-pro-western-gov","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Officials in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria appealed to Moscow for protection on Wednesday, as tensions escalate with the country's pro-Western government. \n\nOn Wednesday, members of the Transnistrian congress used a rare meeting in the regional capital, Tiraspol, to ask the Russian Duma to \"implement measures for defending Transnistria amid increasing pressure from Moldova, given the fact that more than 220,000 Russian citizens reside in Transnistria.\" \n\nThe dispute began at the start of the year when Moldova, officially a candidate to join the EU, imposed new customs duties on 1 January on imports and exports to and from Transnistria. The region borders Ukraine and is not recognised as a separate entity by any United Nations member countries, including Russia, which maintains close ties to the region. \n\nMoldova is working to align its economic legislation with the EU as it pursues full membership in the bloc. But the new customs duties levelled on Transnistria have\u00a0angered officials in the region, who say the measures harm local residents and businesses. \n\nIn a declaration readout on Wednesday, officials in Tiraspol also appealed to the European Parliament to prevent what it described as pressure from Moldova from \"violating the rights and freedoms\" of local residents. They made similar appeals to the secretary-general of the United Nations; the European Parliament; and the International Committee of the Red Cross. \n\nAhead of Wednesday's meeting, tensions mounted after an opposition legislator in Tiraspol last week said the gathering could used to announce a bid by Transnistria to join Russia. \n\nA spokesperson for Moldova's government dismissed those claims and labeled the meeting a \"propaganda event,\" adding that there was \"no danger of escalation.\" \n\nAlexander Korshunov, chairman of the Transnistrian Supreme Council, said on Wednesday that Moldova was \"taking advantage of the geopolitical situation\" and using the economy \"as a tool of pressure and blackmail.\" \n\nHe added: \"Moldova's policy and goals regarding Transnistria have remained unchanged over the past decades: to destroy our economic potential, create unbearable living conditions for our citizens \u2026 and achieve the dismantling of our statehood.\" \n\nMaria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, also commented on those annexation speculations on Wednesday. \n\n\"For several days now, people in Chisinau have been speculating and wondering what decisions this forum might make,\" she said. \"Well, apparently, the same panic gripped NATO.\" \n\nLife on the edge \n\nTransnistria , which has a population of about 470,000, is a thin strip of territory located between the eastern bank of the Dniester River and Moldova's border with Ukraine. The unrecognised state, officially named the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, has its own currency and flag. \n\nA short war in the early 1990s led pro-Russian forces in Transnistria to declare a breakaway state.\u00a0A 2006 referendum saw more than 95% of voters back the option of joining Russia but the ballot wasn't internationally recognized. The US State Department at the time called it a \"provocative referendum\" that \"cannot be taken seriously.\" \n\nTo this day, Russia stations about 1,500 troops in the region as so-called peacekeepers; they are tasked with guarding huge Soviet-era weapons and ammunition stockpiles. \n\nSince Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Moldova's pro-Western leaders have routinely accused Moscow of conducting campaigns to try to destabilise the country, which was a Soviet republic until 1991. \n\nMoldova was granted EU candidate status in 2022. It was further buoyed in December last year when Brussels said it would open accession negotiations for both Moldova and neighbouring Ukraine. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Officials in Moldova&#039;s breakaway region of Transnistria appealed to Moscow for protection on Wednesday, as tensions escalate with the country&#039;s pro-Western government.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, members of the Transnistrian congress used a rare meeting in the regional capital, Tiraspol, to ask the Russian Duma to \"implement measures for defending Transnistria amid increasing pressure from Moldova, given the fact that more than 220,000 Russian citizens reside in Transnistria.\"<\/p>\n<p>The dispute began at the start of the year when Moldova, officially a candidate to join the EU, imposed new customs duties on 1 January on imports and exports to and from Transnistria. The region borders Ukraine and is not recognised as a separate entity by any United Nations member countries, including Russia, which maintains close ties to the region.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova is working to align its economic legislation with the EU as it pursues full membership in the bloc. But the new customs duties levelled on Transnistria have\u00a0angered officials in the region, who say the measures harm local residents and businesses.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"7758106\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//17//police-investigate-killing-of-opposition-leader-in-moldovas-breakaway-transnistria-region/">Police investigate killing of opposition leader in Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In a declaration readout on Wednesday, officials in Tiraspol also appealed to the European Parliament to prevent what it described as pressure from Moldova from \"violating the rights and freedoms\" of local residents. They made similar appeals to the secretary-general of the United Nations; the European Parliament; and the International Committee of the Red Cross.<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of Wednesday&#039;s meeting, tensions mounted after an opposition legislator in Tiraspol last week said the gathering could used to announce a bid by Transnistria to join Russia.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for Moldova&#039;s government dismissed those claims and labeled the meeting a \"propaganda event,\" adding that there was \"no danger of escalation.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//27//37//22//808x539_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg/" alt=\"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic&apos;s Supreme Council, addresses an audience in Transnistria.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/384x256_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/640x427_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/750x500_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/828x552_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/1080x720_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/1200x800_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/1920x1280_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic&apos;s Supreme Council, addresses an audience in Transnistria.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Alexander Korshunov, chairman of the Transnistrian Supreme Council, said on Wednesday that Moldova was \"taking advantage of the geopolitical situation\" and using the economy \"as a tool of pressure and blackmail.\"<\/p>\n<p>He added: \"Moldova&#039;s policy and goals regarding Transnistria have remained unchanged over the past decades: to destroy our economic potential, create unbearable living conditions for our citizens \u2026 and achieve the dismantling of our statehood.\"<\/p>\n<p>Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, also commented on those annexation speculations on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>\"For several days now, people in Chisinau have been speculating and wondering what decisions this forum might make,\" she said. \"Well, apparently, the same panic gripped NATO.\"<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Life on the edge<\/strong><\/h2><p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//search?query=Transnistria\%22>Transnistria<\/strong><\/a>, which has a population of about 470,000, is a thin strip of territory located between the eastern bank of the Dniester River and Moldova&#039;s border with Ukraine. The unrecognised state, officially named the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, has its own currency and flag.<\/p>\n<p>A short war in the early 1990s led pro-Russian forces in Transnistria to declare a breakaway state.\u00a0A 2006 referendum saw more than 95% of voters back the option of joining Russia but the ballot wasn&#039;t internationally recognized. The US State Department at the time called it a \"provocative referendum\" that \"cannot be taken seriously.\"<\/p>\n<p>To this day, Russia stations about 1,500 troops in the region as so-called peacekeepers; they are tasked with guarding huge Soviet-era weapons and ammunition stockpiles.<\/p>\n<p>Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Moldova&#039;s pro-Western leaders have routinely accused Moscow of conducting campaigns to try to destabilise the country, which was a Soviet republic until 1991.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova was granted EU candidate status in 2022. It was further buoyed in December last year when Brussels said it would open accession negotiations for both Moldova and neighbouring Ukraine.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1709136777,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1709143988,"firstPublishedAt":1709143991,"lastPublishedAt":1709155112,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f68a75cb-6fe7-59d8-8b8c-e3cb09dfe57c-8273722.jpg","altText":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addressing delegates during a session in the Transnistrian capital, Tiraspol.","caption":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addressing delegates during a session in the Transnistrian capital, Tiraspol.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Supreme Council of the PMR telegram channel via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1739,"height":978},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1ea0e8f0-4bf2-5b1b-892b-968c0b4d67a4-8273722.jpg","altText":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addresses an audience in Transnistria.","caption":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addresses an audience in Transnistria.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1800,"height":1200},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4c87f02e-061f-5372-8137-1eea2195bc97-8273722.jpg","altText":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addresses an audience in Transnistria.","caption":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addresses an audience in Transnistria.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Supreme Council of the PMR telegram channel via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":673},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/37\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cd96de54-95de-50a5-a192-358dd43ff624-8273722.jpg","altText":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addressing delegates during a session in the Transnistrian capital, Tiraspol.","caption":"Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addressing delegates during a session in the Transnistrian capital, Tiraspol.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Supreme Council of the PMR telegram channel via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1800,"height":1013}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":26768,"slug":"transnistria","urlSafeValue":"transnistria","title":"Transnistria ","titleRaw":"Transnistria "},{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":288,"slug":"ukraine","urlSafeValue":"ukraine","title":"Ukraine","titleRaw":"Ukraine"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2488326},{"id":2488542},{"id":2520304}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"0SvwXSyN510"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/02\/28\/en\/240228_NWSU_54925776_54926617_120000_221330_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":20000,"filesizeBytes":0,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/24\/02\/28\/en\/240228_NWSU_54925776_54926617_120000_221330_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":20000,"filesizeBytes":0,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":"'gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_politics','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','neg_intel_mobkoi','neg_ukraine_russia_war','shadow9hu7_pos_ukraine-russia','neg_zegna_eng','gt_negative','mofa_feb24_eng','neg_mobkoi_creed_eng','gs_science','gv_military','gs_science_geography','gs_economy','gs_economy_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/02\/28\/moldovan-breakaway-region-seeks-russias-help-amid-escalating-tensions-with-pro-western-gov","lastModified":1709155112},{"id":2488216,"cid":8270448,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240227_BZSU_54913110","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"US celebrities \u2018unwittingly recruited\u2019 for Cameo disinformation campaign against Moldovan president","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"US celebrities \u2018unwittingly recruited\u2019 for Cameo disinformation campaign against Moldovan president","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"US celebrities used in disinformation campaign against Maia Sandu","titleListing2":"US celebrities were \"unwittingly recruited\" for a Cameo app disinformation campaign against the Moldovan president.","leadin":"A new report outlines an effort to use US celebrities via Cameo to target the president of Moldova.","summary":"A new report outlines an effort to use US celebrities via Cameo to target the president of Moldova.","keySentence":"","url":"us-celebrities-unwittingly-recruited-for-cameo-disinformation-campaign-against-moldovan-pr","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/2024\/02\/27\/us-celebrities-unwittingly-recruited-for-cameo-disinformation-campaign-against-moldovan-pr","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Moldova\u2019s president, Maia Sandu, was the target of an attack campaign last September: a seemingly coordinated effort by US celebrities on Cameo, an online video platform, calling for her to be brought down. \n\nThe catch: the celebrities, including Dolph Lundgren, Lindsay Lohan, Brian Baumgartner, were manipulated into leveling the geopolitical attacks. \n\nThat\u2019s the conclusion of a new report by the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) , a think tank that studies misinformation and the future of digital rights. \n\nCameo is a platform that lets users pay celebrities and television stars to record a video with whatever text they want read. Customers specify who the message is for and why it should be recorded, pay the rate identified by the celebrity, and receive the video. \n\nEuronews Next reached out to Cameo for comment but did not receive a reply before publication. \n\nThe videos start with a warm greeting to the president but then they are interrupted by a Russian text: \u201cWe, Hollywood stars, support the people of Moldova in their desire to overthrow you, Sandu. We join the flash mob #DavaiteSkinemSandu\u201d (which translates to #Let\u2019sBringDownSandu in Russian). \n\nThe report from DFRLab said that the videos appeared to not be deepfakes but instead were edited by using fake subtitles \u201cwithout the consent of the celebrities involved\u201d. \n\nThe video was shared by prominent pro-Russian channels on Telegram, amassing at least a couple hundred thousand views. \n\nThe report comes to the conclusion that the operations are trying to \u201cdiscredit and weaken Moldova\u2019s current pro-European administration,\u201d because President Sandu is \u201cshift[ing] toward European integration an away from Russia\u2019s sphere of influence\u201d. \n\nMoldova\u2019s next election is scheduled for the fall, and Sandu is running for re-election. Local media say she is tying her reelection bid to \"total EU integration \". \n\nThe EU decided in December to open accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Moldova\u2019s president, Maia Sandu, was the target of an attack campaign last September: a seemingly coordinated effort by US celebrities on Cameo, an online video platform, calling for her to be brought down.<\/p>\n<p>The catch: the celebrities, including Dolph Lundgren, Lindsay Lohan, Brian Baumgartner, were manipulated into leveling the geopolitical attacks.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the conclusion of a new report by the Atlantic Council&#039;s <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////dfrlab.org//2024//02//15//us-celebrities-unwittingly-recruited-to-undermine-moldovas-president///">Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab)<\/strong><\/a>, a think tank that studies misinformation and the future of digital rights.<\/p>\n<p>Cameo is a platform that lets users pay celebrities and television stars to record a video with whatever text they want read. Customers specify who the message is for and why it should be recorded, pay the rate identified by the celebrity, and receive the video.<\/p>\n<p>Euronews Next reached out to Cameo for comment but did not receive a reply before publication.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8244170\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//02//16//kremlin-conducting-information-operations-against-moldova-says-isw/">'Kremlin conducting information operations against Moldova' says ISW<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The videos start with a warm greeting to the president but then they are interrupted by a Russian text: \u201cWe, Hollywood stars, support the people of Moldova in their desire to overthrow you, Sandu. We join the flash mob #DavaiteSkinemSandu\u201d (which translates to #Let\u2019sBringDownSandu in Russian).<\/p>\n<p>The report from DFRLab said that the videos appeared to not be deepfakes but instead were edited by using fake subtitles \u201cwithout the consent of the celebrities involved\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The video was shared by prominent pro-Russian channels on Telegram, amassing at least a couple hundred thousand views.<\/p>\n<p>The report comes to the conclusion that the operations are trying to \u201cdiscredit and weaken Moldova\u2019s current pro-European administration,\u201d because President Sandu is \u201cshift[ing] toward European integration an away from Russia\u2019s sphere of influence\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova\u2019s next election is scheduled for the fall, and Sandu is running for re-election. Local media say she is tying her reelection bid to \"total EU <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////carnegieendowment.org//politika//91800/">integration/"./n

The EU decided in December to open accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1709041643,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1709042621,"firstPublishedAt":1709042623,"lastPublishedAt":1709554894,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/04\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5f538024-a3c7-5319-9ac3-23a547bd6de5-8270448.jpg","altText":"President of Moldova Maia Sandu, October 2023","caption":"President of Moldova Maia Sandu, October 2023","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Anthony Anex\/Keystone via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":6941,"height":4627}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2860,"urlSafeValue":"desmarais","title":"Anna Desmarais","twitter":"anna_desmarais"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":24812,"slug":"misinformation","urlSafeValue":"misinformation","title":"misinformation","titleRaw":"misinformation"},{"id":15496,"slug":"secim-turu","urlSafeValue":"secim-turu","title":"Election campaign","titleRaw":"Election campaign"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2439470},{"id":2440598},{"id":2509614}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"tech-news","urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/tech-news\/tech-news"},"vertical":"next","verticals":[{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"},{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"},"themes":[{"id":"tech-news","urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","url":"\/next\/tech-news"},{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":40,"urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":{"id":3289,"urlSafeValue":"chisinau","title":"Chisinau"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_politics_misc','gs_politics_issues_policy','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_popculture','neg_intel_mobkoi','neg_facebook','gs_popculture_celeb','gt_negative','gs_tech','gs_tech_compute','gs_entertain_celeb','neg_ukraine_russia_war','shadow9hu7_pos_ukraine-russia','neg_mobkoi_creed_eng','neg_mobkoi_new','gs_entertain'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/next\/2024\/02\/27\/us-celebrities-unwittingly-recruited-for-cameo-disinformation-campaign-against-moldovan-pr","lastModified":1709554894},{"id":2439470,"cid":8120304,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240126_WTSU_54279127","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"WT-12-EU ep12 - EU Moldova - MASTER","channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Joining the EU: What would it mean for young Moldovans?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Joining the EU: What would it mean for young Moldovans?","titleListing2":"Joining the EU: What would it mean for young Moldovans?","leadin":"In December 2023, EU leaders agreed to open accession negotiations with Moldova after the Balkan state received EU candidate status in June 2022. How do Moldovans feel about EU integration? Euronews Correspondent Hans von der Brelie travelled to Moldova to find out.","summary":"In December 2023, EU leaders agreed to open accession negotiations with Moldova after the Balkan state received EU candidate status in June 2022. How do Moldovans feel about EU integration? Euronews Correspondent Hans von der Brelie travelled to Moldova to find out.","keySentence":"","url":"joining-the-eu-what-would-it-mean-for-young-moldovans","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2024\/01\/26\/joining-the-eu-what-would-it-mean-for-young-moldovans","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine and located north of the Danube River, Moldova has a population of 2.6 million people and spans a mere\u00a033,846 km\u00b2. Despite its size, the Balkan state is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities.\u00a0 \n\nThe\u00a0current pro-EU government in Chi\u015fin\u0103u is trying to fast forward the EU accession process but, pro-Russian opposition parties are calling residents to strengthen partnerships with Moldova's eastern neighbours instead. \n\nThe majority of Moldovans are backing the government\u2019s plans to join the European Union by 2030 but, there are also fears, particularly among the elderly and within Russian-speaking communities in Moldova, that EU integration is a bad idea. \n\nTo get a complete picture, Euronews caught up with three young Moldovans - Rusanda, a pro-European cultural worker living in a tiny village in the Moldovan countryside;\u00a0Nikita, a 20-year-old International relations student who admires \u201cstrong leaders like Viktor Orb\u00e1n, Vladimir Putin and Alexandr Lukashenko\" and\u00a0Nadejda, a 26-years-old businesswoman, hoping to sell her Moldovan-made peanut butter across the bloc through the European Single Market. \n\nThe first stop on Hans' list was H\u00eertop, a small village with approximately 1,000 inhabitants. Here he met Rusanda , a cultural and environmental activist who leads a network of villages trying to stem the rural exodus by developing and promoting access to art and culture in rural areas and within marginalised groups. \n\n\"There are many nationalities in Moldova and we are a multilinguistic society. So, we respect this diversity... European culture is not only about diversity but also about critical thinking, critical discourses. And it\u2019s about community building\u201d, Rusanda said. \n\nNext, Hans met a pro-Russian international relations student, Nikita, on the outskirts of the capital, Chi\u015fin\u0103u. Nikita explained why he thinks EU integration is not the way forward:\u00a0\u201cTotal integration with the West is not in the interests of [Moldovan] citizens. The economic interest of Moldova is to expand relations with the EU, but above all, with our eastern partners - Russia and China. The integration of Moldova into the EU as it stands, at a time of total state degradation and destruction, is unacceptable.\u201d \n\nFinally, Hans met Nadejda, the founder of Moft , a spreads and confectionary startup. The 26-year-old launched her product after COVID-19 prevented her from returning to the US where she working as a salesperson and tennis coach, her business has grown from strength to strength. \n\n\u201cWe have big potential here in Moldova. We need to grow more in the food industry, in the manufacturing industry, with the farmers, and we can keep people here, we can hire more people\u201d Nadejda added. \n\nMoldova's government wants the country to be part of the EU by 2030. But it takes two to tango; will the EU be able to get ahead with the internal reforms needed before of accepting further member states? Will Moldova make the necessary changes to its judicial, economical and political systems to get the green light from Brussels? \n\nTo watch Hans' full report, click on the video in the media player above. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine and located north of the Danube River, Moldova has a population of 2.6 million people and spans a mere\u00a033,846 km\u00b2. Despite its size, the Balkan state is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0current pro-EU government in Chi\u015fin\u0103u is trying to fast forward the EU accession process but, pro-Russian opposition parties are calling residents to strengthen partnerships with Moldova&#039;s eastern neighbours instead.<\/p>\n<p>The majority of Moldovans are backing the government\u2019s plans to join the European Union by 2030 but, there are also fears, particularly among the elderly and within Russian-speaking communities in Moldova, that EU integration is a bad idea.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1735352008457019426\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>To get a complete picture, Euronews caught up with three young Moldovans - Rusanda, a pro-European cultural worker living in a tiny village in the Moldovan countryside;\u00a0Nikita, a 20-year-old International relations student who admires \u201cstrong leaders like Viktor Orb\u00e1n, Vladimir Putin and Alexandr Lukashenko\" and\u00a0Nadejda, a 26-years-old businesswoman, hoping to sell her Moldovan-made peanut butter across the bloc through the European Single Market.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8123932,8026216,7838804\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//12//20//belgian-army-chief-cautions-on-russian-threat-to-moldova-and-baltic-states/">Russia threatens Moldova and Baltic states, warns Belgian army chief<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//22//to-protect-europe-the-west-should-send-arms-to-moldova/">To protect Europe, the West should send arms to Moldova<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2023//11//09//moldova-to-crack-down-on-russia-backed-oligarchs-in-push-for-eu-accession-foreign-minister/">Moldova to crack down on Russia-backed oligarchs in push for EU accession: foreign minister<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The first stop on Hans&#039; list was H\u00eertop, a small village with approximately 1,000 inhabitants. Here he met <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.eye-to-eye.online//rusanda-curca///">Rusanda, a cultural and environmental activist who leads a network of villages trying to stem the rural exodus by developing and promoting access to art and culture in rural areas and within marginalised groups.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//12//03//08//808x454_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg/" alt=\"Hans speaking with Rusanda in Moldova\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/384x216_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/640x360_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/750x422_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/828x466_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/1080x608_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/1200x675_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/1920x1080_cmsv2_4793ea8b-d4a6-50c7-b5b5-12cf2075a01d-8120308.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hans speaking with Rusanda in Moldova<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"There are many nationalities in Moldova and we are a multilinguistic society. So, we respect this diversity... European culture is not only about diversity but also about critical thinking, critical discourses. And it\u2019s about community building\u201d, Rusanda said.<\/p>\n<p>Next, Hans met a pro-Russian international relations student, Nikita, on the outskirts of the capital, Chi\u015fin\u0103u. Nikita explained why he thinks EU integration is not the way forward:\u00a0\u201cTotal integration with the West is not in the interests of [Moldovan] citizens. The economic interest of Moldova is to expand relations with the EU, but above all, with our eastern partners - Russia and China. The integration of Moldova into the EU as it stands, at a time of total state degradation and destruction, is unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//12//03//08//808x454_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg/" alt=\"International relations student Nikita\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/384x216_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/640x360_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/750x422_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/828x466_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/1080x608_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/1200x675_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/08\/1920x1080_cmsv2_a594e874-0191-5bc3-ba93-65c0eff09211-8120308.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">International relations student Nikita<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Finally, Hans met Nadejda, the founder of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////moft-dulce.md///">Moft, a spreads and confectionary startup. The 26-year-old launched her product after COVID-19 prevented her from returning to the US where she working as a salesperson and tennis coach, her business has grown from strength to strength.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">&apos;Made in Europe&apos; will be a tool for us, it will be easier to export. If we will be part of the EU, I think some of the doors will be easier to open for us.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Nadejda\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Founder of Moft\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have big potential here in Moldova. We need to grow more in the food industry, in the manufacturing industry, with the farmers, and we can keep people here, we can hire more people\u201d Nadejda added.<\/p>\n<p>Moldova&#039;s government wants the country to be part of the EU by 2030. But it takes two to tango; will the EU be able to get ahead with the internal reforms needed before of accepting further member states? Will Moldova make the necessary changes to its judicial, economical and political systems to get the green light from Brussels?<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>To watch Hans&#039; full report, click on the video in the media player above.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1702976123,"updatedAt":1723539856,"publishedAt":1706283049,"firstPublishedAt":1706279936,"lastPublishedAt":1706292509,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0628e31a-5788-5a4e-8f20-d4ec177bc511-8120306.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d56fcaa4-7b77-5dae-aa33-ba6065b415b7-8120306.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/12\/03\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_34faf3ac-adec-5d47-bc8a-e6d0a987db6e-8120306.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"id":247,"urlSafeValue":"brelie","title":"Hans von der Brelie","twitter":"@euronewsreport"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":93,"slug":"eu-enlargement","urlSafeValue":"eu-enlargement","title":"EU enlargement","titleRaw":"EU enlargement"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":196,"slug":"moldova","urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","titleRaw":"Moldova"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"quotation","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2488216}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"zYEucZ9HyhQ","dailymotionId":"x8rt9yl"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/WT\/SU\/24\/01\/26\/en\/240126_WTSU_54279127_54591368_600000_153039_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":600000,"filesizeBytes":76340732,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/WT\/SU\/24\/01\/26\/en\/240126_WTSU_54279127_54591368_600000_153039_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":600000,"filesizeBytes":115505148,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"euronews-witness","urlSafeValue":"euronews-witness","title":"Euronews Witness","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/euronews-witness"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":196,"urlSafeValue":"moldova","title":"Moldova","url":"\/news\/europe\/moldova"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2024\/01\/26\/joining-the-eu-what-would-it-mean-for-young-moldovans","lastModified":1706292509}]" data-api-url="">

More about this topic

Now playing Next

Markets

Moldova declares an energy emergency over fears of Russian gas cut-off

Moldovan PM Dorin Recean said his country faces an “exceptional situation” in which Moscow could deliberately weaponise energy.

13/12/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

In Moldova's path towards the EU, Transnistria faces challenges

When pro-European forces won in Moldova in November, their victory only passed by the slimmest of margins. A concerted Russian influence campaign was potentially behind it.

21/11/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Moldova firms up EU ties in the face of Russian propaganda

The Moldovan government is boosting its efforts to improve EU support among its divided public — partly by emphasising its strategic importance during the Ukraine war.

19/11/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Pro-EU Maia Sandu re-elected as president of Moldova

Speaking at the headquarters of her Action and Solidarity party in the capital Chișinău, Sandu said her priority in the coming years would be to be a president for all Moldovans.

04/11/2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Now playing Next

Europe News

Sandu has slim lead in Moldova's presidential run-off

Pro-EU president Maia Sandu takes lead ahead of Russia-friendly candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo with almost 91% of the vote counted.

03/11/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Moldovans head to polls for presidential runoff amid fraud concerns

Voters are choosing between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, who favours closer ties with Russia.

03/11/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Moldovans are voting in a pivotal presidential runoff

Moldovan voters are choosing in their presidential elections between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, who favors closer ties with Russia, this Sunday.

02/11/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Sandu and Stoianoglo face off in crucial Moldova presidential runoff

Moldovan voters to choose between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Aleksandr Stoianoglo, who favours closer ties with Russia.

30/10/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

What's inside Russia's hybrid war playbook for Moldova?

Moldova's President Maia Sandu said the authorities have clear evidence of malign interference and "fraud of unprecedented proportions" at the vote on October 20. With the presidential elections now going into the second round, what can the Kremlin do within the next 10 days to influence the vote?

22/10/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Moldova president alleges vote-buying tainted EU referendum results

Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced an "an assault on democracy and freedom," as she said criminal groups had bought Moldovan citizens' votes prior to the EU referendum on Sunday.

21/10/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

Moldova votes yes to join the EU as president claims Moscow meddled

The first batch of preliminary results indicated the referendum on Moldova's EU future was a "no," but a last-minute spike in votes in favour from the eastern European country's diaspora won the referendum by the slimmest of margins.

21/10/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Minimum turnout exceeded in Moldova's crucial EU membership vote

A minimum turnout of 33% has now been exceeded in a vote on whether Moldova should enshrine in its constitution the desire to join the European Union.

20/10/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Moldovans prepare to decide on EU membership in crucial referendum

Polls put Moldovans' support for EU membership at around 60%, but a minimum turnout of 33% is needed for the referendum to be considered valid.

18/10/2024

Now playing Next

EuroVerify

Kremlin’s hybrid war overshadows Moldova’s EU referendum

European officials say disinformation campaigns and vote-buying schemes risk undermining the integrity of the 20 October ballot.

16/10/2024

Now playing Next

Europe News

Moldova begins preparations for upcoming referendum on EU membership

On Sunday, Moldovans will vote on whether EU accession should become a constitutional goal. The country's presidential election will happen on the same day.

16/10/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

Moldova accuses Russia of bribing voters ahead of EU referendum

National police chief Viorel Cernautanu revealed that over 130,000 Moldovans were bribed by a Russian network to promote pro-Kremlin candidates, raising concerns about malign influence.

04/10/2024

Now playing Next

Euronews Witness

Moldova at the crossroads: tensions with Transnistria ahead of EU membership referendum

In October Moldovans will vote on making EU membership a constitutional goal. A 'yes' vote would put the pro-Western leadership on a collision course with the Russia-leaning breakaway region in the east.

30/09/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

Moldova accuses Russia of organising pre-election vandalism

Tensions are rising with Moscow as Moldova's pro-western government accuses Russia of organising the vandalism of state buildings in the run-up to the election in October.

29/09/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

Moldovans and Ukrainians remain hopeful over potential EU membership

After Brussels recently opened negotiations with the two Eastern European countries keen to join the EU, Moldovans and Ukrainians alike hope for a quick transition that would allow them to join the greater European family.

27/06/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

US pledges €124 million in aid to Moldova to counter Russian influence

Some €78 million will be directed to bolster energy infrastructure and €46 million to overhaul key industries and deter disinformation.

30/05/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

EU candidate Moldova acts to prevent Russian influence in referendum

The US Institute for War Studies warned Moldova that Russia could try to destabilise the country ahead of presidential elections and the upcoming referendum on joining the European Union.

12/04/2024

Now playing Next

Cult

Balkan Trafik! Festival shines spotlight on Moldova

For the past 20 years, the Balkan Trafik! Festival, held every April in Brussels, highlights cultures and music from across the Balkans through workshops, exhibitions, food and wine.

05/04/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

Moldova protests Russian voting stations in Transnistria

The eastern European country summoned Russia's ambassador on Tuesday, after Moscow decided to open polling stations for Russian elections in the Transnistrian region without its consent.

12/03/2024

Now playing Next

Moldova

Moldovan breakaway region appeals to Russia for 'protection'

Transnistria is one of numerous European regions where Moscow claims ethnic Russians are under threat.

28/02/2024

Now playing Next

Tech News

US celebrities used in disinformation campaign against Maia Sandu

A new report outlines an effort to use US celebrities via Cameo to target the president of Moldova.

27/02/2024

Now playing Next

Euronews Witness

Joining the EU: What would it mean for young Moldovans?

In December 2023, EU leaders agreed to open accession negotiations with Moldova after the Balkan state received EU candidate status in June 2022. How do Moldovans feel about EU integration? Euronews Correspondent Hans von der Brelie travelled to Moldova to find out.

26/01/2024

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• ...
• 7
• Next