Moldovan President Warns of Russian Plot to Sabotage Upcoming Elections with Unprecedented Interference Strategies

On Wednesday, Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova, accused Russia of orchestrating an «unprecedented» campaign aimed at meddling in the upcoming elections in her country, warning that Moscow intends to install pro-Kremlin candidates in parliament.

«The Russian Federation is aiming to exert control over Moldova beginning this fall, and it is preparing significant interference in the September elections,» Sandu stated during a press conference. She claimed there are plans involving vote buying, illicit financing through cryptocurrency, and orchestrated disinformation strategies.

A vocal critic of the Kremlin and a prominent advocate for Moldova’s accession to the EU, Sandu has consistently accused Russia of attempting to destabilize the nation. Moldova officially commenced negotiations for EU membership in June 2024.

According to Sandu, the Kremlin has allocated as much as 100 million euros to facilitate activities that include cyberattacks, orchestrated protests, manipulations through religious organizations, and efforts to undermine the electoral process, with particular focus on voters living abroad and moderate pro-European citizens.

Sandu also accused the two main opposition parties of exploiting Russian-backed tactics to diminish the influence of her center-right Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), which currently possesses a parliamentary majority.

She specifically pointed out associates of the fugitive pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, alleging they are part of a «criminal group» engaged in vote buying and protests designed to incite chaos.

Furthermore, Sandu expressed concerns about a growing «sovereignist» movement, which she claims is financed by Moscow, promoting Euroscepticism and alignment with Russian interests.

«All these initiatives are being coordinated from a single command center,» she remarked, alluding to the Kremlin.

A recent survey indicates that PAS is leading with 39% support, while the pro-Russian Socialist Party has garnered 14.9%, though approximately 30% of voters remain undecided.

Earlier this year, Moldovan authorities reported that over 140,000 individuals were under investigation for their alleged involvement in a vote-buying scheme during the 2021 presidential election.

In the past, authorities have shut down numerous pro-Russian media outlets and Telegram channels accused of disseminating false information. Sandu criticized Telegram on Wednesday for not addressing reports of voter manipulation.