Moldova's Pivotal Election: Battling Russian Influence Amid Growing Tensions

Fri Oct 03 2025 01:07:39 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Moldova heads into crucial elections, concerns escalate over Russian interference, with governmental claims of election meddling, armed training, and public mobilization for pro-European sentiment.

Moldova is on the brink of a major parliamentary election amid heightened fears of Russian interference. Evidence of vote-buying and efforts to instigate unrest have emerged, linked to pro-Kremlin factions. The governing party, PAS, aims to solidify pro-European policies while asserting that Russian efforts pose a direct threat to its electoral integrity. Opposing parties downplay the claims as political theater, raising questions about the electoral fairness and legitimacy in a nation with a critical geopolitical standing.

The crowd filing through central Chisinau waving EU flags on Friday evening was clear: they believe Russia is trying to steal their election and bring pro-Kremlin politicians to power in Moldova.

Their weapon is money, your weapon is your vote!, was the loudest chant as several hundred supporters of the governing party, PAS, and its pro-European policies joined the final rally before Sunday's ballot.

This week Moldovan police and prosecutors disclosed evidence of election interference on an unprecedented scale: vote-buying and disinformation that they link directly to Russia. They've also uncovered a plot to foment violent unrest, detaining dozens of men who travelled to Serbia for training including in the use of firearms.

Opposition parties dismiss talk of Russian meddling as a political show claiming the government is laying the ground to annul the vote should PAS lose its majority in parliament.

But Moldova took a decisive turn towards EU membership and away from Moscow after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now the evidence suggests Russia has been investing heavily in restoring its influence. It's trying to claw back control.

Lodged between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova has been independent since the USSR fell apart more than three decades ago. Last summer, it launched EU accession talks in tandem with Ukraine.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean sees these elections as a final battle for his country.

There is constant pressure from Russia, he told me, as the pro-PAS crowd broke up after its brief march through Chisinau.

They're spending the equivalent of more than 1% of our GDP to overthrow our government - on propaganda and false messages.

Some of that fake-news network – posting anti PAS content for cash – was uncovered in a recent BBC investigation. It's linked to Ilan Sor, a fugitive Moldovan oligarch now in Moscow.

In response to the BBC investigation, the Russian embassy in the UK denied involvement in fake news and electoral interference and claimed that it was the EU that had been interfering in Moldova's election.

All this is happening as Russia's bombardment of Ukraine escalates and with Moscow accused of ever more hostile activity elsewhere in Europe, like sending drones into Poland.

So PAS is trying to mobilise voters by driving home the danger.

Its bright yellow election flyers are full of promises that the party guarantees EU membership in the next four years along with a bounty of European investment and maximum respect in the world.

But the flip side of the paper is dark and disturbing. There's an image of Ukrainian homes destroyed by war and a warning not to hand our country over to Russia.

Then come the faces of Moldova's opposition leaders and the slogan: Say no to Putin's candidates.

This is exactly the risk right now here in Moldova, the prime minister says, justifying using such scare tactics.

Beyond the shabby Soviet-era blocks of Chisinau city suburbs, a short drive leads to field upon field lined with grape vines. It's like a mini Tuscany with a lot more potholes.

Moldova isn't rich, even in wine-producing spots like this, and huge numbers have left the country to seek better lives and incomes overseas. That's created a diaspora so large, its vote has become decisive.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the surge in energy prices has strained the economy even further – to near zero growth.

In all, there are more than 20 participants, although there's a minimal threshold to enter parliament.

The only documented efforts to warp Moldova's elections so far have been by Russia.

Police Chief Viorel Cernăuțeanu has called it the most advanced interference campaigns we've seen. Moldova is at a critical crossroads, weighing the influence of foreign powers against its desire for democratic stability and EU alignment.