Moldova's EU aspirations receive a boost in a tightly contested referendum
- In Reports
- 10:32 PM, Oct 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
President Maia Sandu described Monday's outcome as the initial victory in a challenging struggle for Moldova's future. Following a tightly contested referendum where just over 50.4% voted in favour of EU accession, allegations of interference backed by Russia added further turbulence to the process. The narrow margin came as a surprise to supporters of Sandu, who anticipated a more decisive mandate to propel the impoverished former Soviet agricultural economy towards European Union membership by 2030, marking a definitive departure from Moscow's influence.
The referendum's outcome will lead to an amendment in the constitution, formally establishing EU accession as a defined goal for Moldova. The country commenced the lengthy process of formal accession talks in June.
"The people of Moldova have spoken: our EU future will now be anchored in the constitution. We fought fairly in an unfair fight — and we won," the 52-year-old leader wrote on X.
In the presidential election held concurrently with the referendum, Sandu secured 42% of the votes, falling short of the 50% required for an outright victory. This result sets the stage for a closely contested runoff on November 3 against former prosecutor-general Alexandr Stoianoglo, who garnered 26% of the vote. Earlier in the campaign, Sandu informed Moldovans that there was "clear evidence" of criminal groups collaborating with "foreign forces hostile to our national interests" attempting to manipulate the election by buying off 300,000 votes.
"Criminal groups... have attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies and propaganda, using the most disgraceful means to keep our citizens and our nation trapped in uncertainty and instability," she said.
Leading up to the vote, authorities reported attempts at Moscow-backed interference orchestrated by fugitive tycoon Ilan Shor. These efforts allegedly included attempts to sway 130,000 voters to cast "no" votes and support a specific candidate in the presidential election. Shor has denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has dismissed allegations of interference, labelling the votes in Moldova as "unfree." It questioned the "hard-to-explain" surge in support for Sandu and EU accession, challenging her to "present evidence" of any meddling.
The EU defended Sandu, saying Moldova had faced "really unprecedented intimidation and foreign interference by Russia and its proxies ahead of this vote".
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, hailed the outcome of the referendum in a post on X, "In the face of Russia's hybrid tactics, Moldova shows that it is independent, it is strong and it wants a European future!"
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) reported that the voting campaigns were significantly impacted by foreign interference and active disinformation efforts. The future of the southeast European nation, home to fewer than 3 million people, has garnered increased attention since Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West. Relations with Moscow have soured as President Sandu condemned the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine and sought to diversify energy supplies away from Russia. Moldova's dual votes precede next Sunday’s closely contested parliamentary election in Georgia, another former Soviet republic aspiring for EU membership, which Russia historically considers part of its sphere of influence.
In a speech on Monday afternoon, President Sandu urged Moldovans to rally behind her for the upcoming runoff in the presidential election, stating, "There is still one more battle to fight." Her opponent, Stoianoglo, who is supported by the traditionally pro-Russian Party of Socialists, has pledged to pursue a "balanced" foreign policy that includes relations with the EU, the United States, Russia, and China. Stoianoglo boycotted Sunday’s referendum, dismissing it as a ploy to enhance Sandu's re-election prospects, and has challenged her to participate in a televised debate ahead of the runoff.
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