Moldovans Vote in Crucial Election for EU Membership Path

Moldova held a pivotal parliamentary election on March 15, 2024, that could significantly influence its aspirations to join the European Union. As ballots were cast across the country, concerns grew over potential interference from Russia, with officials warning of disinformation campaigns and vote-buying efforts.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) began the process of tallying votes soon after polls closed, with preliminary results expected to emerge throughout the night. Full verification of the results will follow on Monday morning, after assessments from election monitors and international observers.

The pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) aimed to maintain its majority in the 101-seat parliament, having previously held 61 seats since 2021. The party has committed to advancing Moldova’s EU integration within the next five years. In contrast, the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP) and the less transparent Alternativa opposition bloc could benefit from widespread disinformation campaigns allegedly orchestrated from Moscow.

Stanislav Secrieru, Moldova’s National Security Adviser, emphasized the scale of Russian involvement ahead of the election. He stated, “Russia is pulling out all the stops to tip this election,” highlighting increased financial resources directed towards buying votes and the use of artificial intelligence to amplify disinformation through troll networks. He also raised concerns about potential unrest in the capital, Chișinău, linked to the pro-Russian bloc.

Preliminary results are expected to come from smaller towns and villages first, with urban votes and ballots from overseas polling stations counted later. The CEC plans to release initial results around 21:30 local time (20:30 Brussels), with updates rolling in through the night. Votes from larger cities and those cast by Moldovans abroad, a significant demographic, will be revealed around 23:00 local time.

This election follows a narrow referendum last year in which Moldovans expressed support for EU membership. President Maia Sandu secured a second term amid claims of Kremlin interference, with overseas voting being crucial to both outcomes.

Researcher Dorina Baltag from the Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs noted that the diaspora’s participation would be vital in this election. “Over the past decade, the diaspora has consolidated itself as one of the most consistent pro-European constituencies,” she stated. Their mobilization often sways tightly contested races.

Despite this, the diaspora has faced hybrid attempts to influence their voting behavior, with over 900 accounts identified as part of a coordinated Russian disinformation effort aimed at either swaying votes or discouraging participation altogether.

According to Siegfried Mureșan, the Romanian Member of the European Parliament and chair of its delegation to Moldova, this election represents a crucial moment for Moldova’s EU integration. He remarked, “This is the last chance for Russia to affect Moldova’s EU integration path. Russia knows it, and that’s one reason for their heavy investment in this election.”

As results begin to emerge, the international community watches closely, understanding the implications of Moldova’s choice on its future geopolitical trajectory.