– My son lives in Germany, and I am happy about that. It’s much better there. I want us to get it just as well, says Maria Fefilova (68) to Reuters in a polling station on Sunday. Moldova was heavily integrated into the Soviet economy, and has struggled financially since gaining independence in 1991. Today, Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. The country has tried to have a good relationship with both Russia and the EU, something that has become more difficult to balance in recent years. A woman hands out flyers about presidential candidate Maia Sandu’s Action and Solidarity party to passers-by. Photo: Vladislav Culiomza / Reuters Moldova received candidate status in the EU in 2022, together with Ukraine, and in October a narrow majority voted yes to become a member of the EU. There were fewer than expected, and shows that Moldova is a divided country. East or West, or both? Under the watch of incumbent president and presidential candidate Maia Sandu, Moldova has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and joined Western sanctions on Russian gas, which has affected the economy. In addition, Moldova has welcomed Ukrainians who have crossed the border during the war. This year there are approximately 120,000 Ukrainian refugees in Moldova. Moldova has taken in more than 1.5 million Ukrainians who have crossed the border. Photo: Sergei Grits / AP Sandu has a clear pro-Western and anti-Russian policy, and will continue on the same path if she gets another four years. The aim is to become an EU country by 2030. Opposing candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo, on the other hand, says that he wants “a harmonious relationship with both east and west”. He wants European integration, but believes that EU membership is not necessary. He has not wished to criticize Russia’s war against Ukraine, and has opened up dialogue with President Vladimir Putin – if his constituents support it. Stoianoglo will open up more economic cooperation with Russia and thus ease the sanctions on Russian gas. The polling station closes at 20 Norwegian time Sunday. Photo: Daniel Mihailescu / AFP The presidential election on Sunday is both symbolic and important for Moldovans. There are therefore two names on the ballot in the second and decisive election round. EU-friendly Maia Sandu and the more Russia-friendly Alexandr Stoianoglo. Russian interference and genuine support Many of Sandu’s supporters are skeptical of Stoianoglo, who has been blamed for being a Russian Trojan horse, something he himself denies. Moldovan police discovered that an Israeli-Moldovan businessman living in Russia tried to buy the votes of over 300,000 citizens. In an economically disadvantaged country with high inflation, several Moldovans have allowed themselves to be influenced, in exchange for money. This is shown by an investigation by the Moldovan police. Alexandr Stoianoglo and his wife Tvetana Kurdova in a polling station in the capital Chișinău on Sunday. Photo: Vladislav Culiomza / Reuters The EU stands behind the allegations that Russia was involved in the election and tried to buy people’s votes. Stoianoglo says that he has had no contact with Russian officials in recent years, and denies that his party has been involved in the Russian interference. Despite the fact that benefactors have demonstrably been bought and paid for, support for Russian-friendly candidates has been greater than expected. – Many fear war The country has a large Russian-speaking minority with strong ties to Russia. At the same time, there are many who fear what will happen if one turns away from Russia – and towards the EU. – Many fear war and want a candidate who manages to have a good relationship with Moscow, as a guarantee that we will not also be attacked, says Zaharovna (75) to AFP, who says that she voted no to join the EU during referendum in October. 78-year-old Leon Osevzon is retired and meets the news agency in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. He votes for Stoianoglo today. – I believe that he is the only option Moldova has for us to prosper and become a free, independent, successful and neutral country. Leon Osevzon is among those who think it is best that Moldova stands alone, outside the EU, therefore votes for Alexandr Stoianoglo on Sunday. Photo: Reuters Tension in Transnistria Along the eastern border with Moldova, towards Ukraine, lies the breakaway republic of Transnistria. The area declared itself independent after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A referendum in 2006 showed that 97 percent of the inhabitants want the region to become part of Russia. Moldova strongly opposes it. They neither want Ukraine to have a Russian neighbor in the west, nor that they themselves will have a Russian neighbor in the east. The close to half a million inhabitants who live in Transnistria are therefore excited about the outcome of the election. If EU-friendly Maia Sandu is elected to a new presidential term, Russia may gain a weaker position in Transnistria. A woman walks past Russia’s military headquarters in Transnistria. Moldova is against the presence of Russian soldiers in the breakaway republic. Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky / AP So-called EU-friendly politicians, including Sandu, received 650,000 votes in the first election round. Many of the votes came from abroad, where over a third of Moldovan citizens there. 850,000 voted for Stoianoglo and other politicians who have gone to the polls independently. It was more than expected. Sandu, on the other hand, received the most individual votes. But because she did not get the majority, i.e. over 50 per cent of the votes, there was a second round on 3 November. The polling station closes at eight o’clock Norwegian time on Sunday. Maia Sandu is the leader of the Party for Action and Solidarity, and has been president of Moldova since 2020. Photo: Vladislav Culiomza / Reuters Published 03.11.2024, at 16.31
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A choice between the EU and Moscow – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
