The majority of Moldovans rejected entry into the European Union (EU) on Sunday. during a constitutional referendum boycotted by pro-Russian candidates. According to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), 45.35% of Moldovans voted yes, but 54.65% voted against European integration, after the control of just over 85% of the votes cast.
It helped that the Moldovan government, which began accession negotiations in December 2023, received a big boost from Brussels on the eve of the vote with an aid package of 1.8 billion dinars. euros for the next three years.
The pro-Russian electorateincluding that of the autonomy of Gagauzia – more than 95% against -, he was much more vocal than the voters in the capital Chisinau and the diaspora, more inclined to enter the European bloc. Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest countries, hoped to join the EU in 2030, where it already exports 65% of its products and receives more than 80% of direct investment.
Many Russian-speaking voters EFE spoke to criticized the government for failing to explain the legal implications of introducing Moldovans’ aspiration to join the EU into the preamble to the Constitution. The authorities seemed hurt by having the popular consultation coincide with the presidential elections after four years of falling living standards due to covid, the conflict in neighboring Ukraine and the energy war with Russia.
Precisely, The Kremlin opposed the referendum and, according to the Moldovan prosecutor’s office, fugitive oligarch Ilon Shor tried from Moscow to buy the votes of 130,000 people. with the transfer of 15 million dollars from Russian banks. The no to the EU is a hard blow for the Moldovan president, the liberal Maia Sandu, who was also unable to be re-elected in Sunday’s elections and will therefore have to stand in the second round in November.
Until the end of the vote, Sandu, with 36% of the vote, will most likely face the Kremlin candidate, former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, with 29% of the vote, who today boycotted the pro-European referendum.
