Reactions to the elections in the Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova remains steadfast on its European track, as confirmed by the October 20 ballot

Corina Cristea, 22.10.2024, 14:00

Romania will continue to invest energy and expertise to support the Republic of Moldova in its effort to fulfil its European destiny, as well as to strengthen its resilience in the face of Russia’s interference, press release of the Romanian Foreign Ministry reads. The Ministry hails the manner in which the presidential election and the constitutional referendum were held in Moldova, with the observance of high democratic standards. The incumbent president, the pro-Western Maia Sandu, and the candidate supported by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, Alexandr Stoianoglo, have advanced to the second round, while the referendum regarding the country’s EU integration passed, with a narrow majority voting in favor of EU accession, a difference of less than 12,000 votes.

The presidential election and the referendum were well organized, but the election campaign was marked by foreign interference and disinformation, according to a report published by OSCE election observers. Throughout the campaign, Chișinău repeatedly criticized Russia’s interference in the electoral process, an allegation denied by Moscow. After the results were made public, the Kremlin claimed the election was not free. In turn, the observation mission of the International Republican Institute highlighted significant foreign interference in the election process, manifested through vote buying, mass manipulation, propaganda and fraud.

“Moldova has chosen a European future, despite the Russian hybrid tactics”, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said from Brussels. “The citizens of Moldova have chosen their future, they’ve chosen hope, stability and opportunities and that’s why they’ve chosen the EU. The European Parliament condemns Russia’s interference in the elections and the referendum in the Republic of Moldova”, said the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, in turn gave assurances that Brussels remains determined to continue supporting the democratic development, reforms and economic growth of the Republic of Moldova, as well as to strengthen its resilience on its path towards EU accession. The White House expressed its satisfaction that Russia did not succeed in undermining the election in the Republic of Moldova, even if, according to Washington, “it made energetic efforts in this regard”. Moscow denied the accusations and requests evidence regarding the serious allegations of president Maia Sandu, who invoked the interference in the election process by certain criminal groups that acted alongside foreign forces hostile to Moldova’s best interests. (VP)