The authorities of this former Soviet republic accuse pro-Russian criminal groups of having bought votes to defeat the referendum on the country’s membership of the European Union.
Published on 21/10/2024 21:45
Reading time: 3min
A bitter victory in Moldova. The referendum on membership of the European Union passed with 50.4% “yes”. Sunday October 20 was also the presidential election, the first round of which was won by pro-European President Maia Sandu. While the country seems more divided than ever on the question of Europe, the authorities accuse pro-Russian criminal groups of having bought votes to defeat the referendum.
Sitting on a bench in the center of Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, Maria struggles to hide her emotion. The “yes” victory in the referendum on membership of the European Union crystallizes all these hopes. “It’s yes, yes and I am happy for that, for our children, for my grandchildren, for the future of our country, for a better life, for jobs and for young people to come back to the country”rejoices Maria.
But for many Moldovans, it is difficult to celebrate the majority of just 50.4% of the votes. Pro-European President Maia Sandu spoke on Monday afternoon: “Thanks to you, dear Moldovans, we have won the first battle of a difficult struggle. What happened yesterday and over the last two years is an attack on our democracy and on the freedom of our people.”
The Moldovan authorities denounce Russian interference, including the purchase of 300,000 votes which, according to them, explain this very close result. These accusations do not surprise Iulian, who sips his coffee near a newsstand. “Especially in the countryside people voted against, they are brainwashed, someone gives them 400 lei and they vote as they are told, he says. We need to get rid of this and be less tolerant of vote buying.”
The battle is not over for Maia Sandu, as the second round of the presidential election is scheduled for November 3. The socialist candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo, who came in second place, boycotted the referendum. He sees it as a political maneuver to keep Maia Sandu in power: “The most shameful part of these elections is linked to the so-called referendum, dividing citizens between good citizens and those of second category simply because they think differently.” The standoff promises to be tense between Alexandr Stoianoglo and the outgoing president. Several candidates not qualified for the second round could call to vote against Maia Sandu.
