After the “no” to the country’s accession to the EU, President Sandu denounces “an unprecedented attack on democracy”

Moldovan President Maia Sandu denounced “an unprecedented attack on democracy”while the “no” to the referendum on membership in the European Union (EU) leads, in a context of suspicions of Russian interference.

“Criminal groups, acting in concert with foreign forces hostile to our national interests, attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies and propaganda” For “trap our country in uncertainty and instability”said, with a serious face, M^me Sandu, before the press, in Chisinau.

Moldovan voters were called on Sunday, October 20, to vote in two crucial elections: the first round of the presidential elections and a referendum to adopt the principle of future EU membership in the Constitution. Moldova already has a foothold there with the official opening of accession negotiations in June.

Facing a candidate supported by pro-Russian socialists

But, after counting around 90% of the votes, 53% of the votes reject the European rapprochement. It is a surprise and, if confirmed, a setback for President Maia Sandu. The trend could reverse, as there are still many votes to be counted abroad, where a large diaspora lives.

At the same time, the outgoing Head of State, who has decisively turned her small country, neighbor to Ukraine at war, but also to Romania, a member of the EU and NATO, towards the EU, he came first in the first round of the presidential elections with 36% of the votes. On November 3 he will face Alexandr Stoianoglo, 57, supported by the pro-Russian socialists, who obtained better results than expected with almost 29% of the votes.

Maia Sandu, who turned her back on Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine and brought her country’s candidacy to Brussels, had called the referendum to validate her strategy and determine the fate of this former Soviet republic of 2.6 million inhabitants.

Buy votes

Corruption, disinformation: in recent months, police have carried out 350 searches and detained hundreds of suspects accused of wanting to disrupt the electoral process on behalf of Moscow. a system “unprecedented” Vote buying has been revealed, targeting up to a quarter of voters expected to go to the polls in the country of 2.6 million people.

According to the think tank WatchDog, Russia spent around $100 million to influence the vote. With, in the maneuver, the oligarch Ilan Shor, a refugee in Moscow after a conviction for fraud. On social media he joked about “the defeat” by Maia Sandu and her “regrettable failure”. The Kremlin has “categorically” rejected accusations of interference.

“This vote will determine our destiny for many decades”declared President Maia Sandu during her vote, inviting all citizens to travel, including those from the large diaspora. “This is the will of the Moldovan people” who must express themselves, “neither other people’s money nor dirty money”the candidate insisted.

The first woman to hold, in 2020, the highest positions in this State located between NATO and the Russian zone of influence, this 52-year-old economist with a reputation for incorruptibility has become a prominent European personality. Facing her, in the first round, there is no heavyweight, but a series of ten candidates, most of them considered more or less linked to Moscow after their speeches of “neutrality”. Some speak Russian, in addition to the official Romanian language.

After this setback, a victory for M^me Sandu in the second round is far from assured. Stoianoglo can count on the vote reserves of many small candidates. During the campaign, this stern-looking man asked “restore justice” in the face of a power willing, according to the opposition, to violate rights. He says he is in favor of a foreign policy “balanced” Reconnecting with Russia, he abstained from the referendum.