Undeniably, what’s at stake in the upcoming vote is whether or not Moldova keeps to its European trajectory.
So far, the Watchdog Moldova think tank has identified no fewer than 910 various social media accounts, all tasked with spreading Russian propaganda. YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Threads are rife with content attacking the EU and Moldova’s European integration process. Not to mention the genuine support that some Moldovans have for Russia — support that’s rooted in historic, linguistic, religious and economic ties.
Last month, the country’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu similarly warned that Moscow is “orchestrating an unprecedented” campaign. Her center-right Party of Action and Solidarity pais currently leading the polls at 39 percent, with the pro-Russia Socialist party trailing at just under 15 percent. However, a sizable 30 percent of voters remain undecided — and those votes will determine whether Moldova leans West, toward the EU and democracy, or East, toward President Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Remaining on the path to EU integration would drive economic development and signal to investors that the country can be trusted. Free trade and the free movement of goods, services and people would also increase job opportunities and economic growth, enticing many Moldovans to return home — over the last 30 years, the country lost about 1.5 million people out of a population of 4.3 million.
Additionally, EU membership could offer more leverage when tackling corruption. Moldova needs a drastic break with oligarchic practices — which the current government is moving to do. The likes of Shor and former Democratic Party Chairman Vladimir Plahotniuc have made oligarchic abuse infamous, after being charged in the disappearance of more than $1 billion — that’s 12.5 percent of Moldova’s GDP — from the country’s biggest banks.
A destabilized Moldova, on the other hand, would wreak havoc on the wider region. The country carries significant strategic importance for the EU, and much like Ukraine, it is a buffer zone between NATO and Russia.