A number of reports in the Western and Moldovan media revealed a massive Russian effort to influence the outcome of the 20 October 2024 presidential election and EU integration referendum.
Russia pumped huge amounts of cash into Moldova, distributing bribes to a notable portion of the country’s electorate. The referendum was targeted by Russians with particular rigor in attempt to get Moldovan voters to reject their country’s integration into the European Union.
In the end, pro-European president Maia Sandu got over 42 percent of votes in the presidential election’s first round, taking the first place. The referendum was run very closely, with supporters of the EU integration scoring 50.4 percent.
While Russians were unable to flip the referendum result despite them pouring considerable resources into the effort, the vote’s outcome showed them coming rather close to succeeding in their task.
This means that Russian political and covert subversion operations in Moldova have a potential to bring about at least some of the results desired by the Russian leadership. Moscow is certain to keep up its efforts to subvert the country in attempt to bring to an end its foreign policy that aims at independence from Russia and closer partnership with Europe. The ultimate end state Russia seeks in Moldova is for it to become Moscow’s vassal state and compliant instrument of the Russian foreign strategy.
Moldova is set to hold parliamentary elections in 2025.
Efforts Category: Russia’s Political and Covert Subversion vs Moldova
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