Moldovan President Maia Sandu says Russia is mounting a major effort to influence the parliamentary elections set for Sunday, September 28. "This is about the territorial integrity and independence of our republic. And we are seeing enormous pressure from Moscow to interfere in the vote and sway the outcome," she told ZDFheute.de.
According to Sandu, the Kremlin is allocating "hundreds of millions of euros" to fund pro-Russian parties, bribe voters and train young people to organize actions aimed at destabilizing the country.
Moldova has held EU candidate status since 2022. Polls suggest Sanduโs EU-backed party could once again emerge as the largest force but may not retain the ability to govern alone. Pro-Russian blocs are eyeing a strong result.
Sandu called the vote "the most consequential election" in the countryโs history. "Its outcome will decide whether we strengthen democracy and join the EU, or whether Russia pushes us back into a gray zone and turns us into a regional risk," she said.
The President said the country is moving toward EU membership. "We have achieved major progress over the past three years. I truly believe the Republic of Moldova can become an EU member by the end of the decade," she said.
Sandu said she will keep fighting even if pro-European forces lose. "Because we believe in freedom. And we do not want to live under Putinโs regime," she emphasized.
Moldova, wedged between Romania and Ukraine, has a population of about 2.4 million. For decades, the country has toggled between pro-Russian and pro-European paths.
