The Foreign Desk Why is Moldova’s election result so significant to its neighbours?
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Oct 4, 2025 Paola Arizanu, a journalist and author focused on Moldovan history, joins Jenny Mathers, an international politics lecturer specializing in Russia, and Quentin Peel, an associate fellow at Chatham House. They dive into the recent Moldovan elections, exploring Russian interference tactics, voter motivations, and the pro-European victory's significance. The discussion also highlights Moldova's strategic importance to Russia, the EU's support commitments, and the complexities surrounding Transnistria, making for a thought-provoking conversation on regional dynamics.
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Election Was An Existential Choice
- Moldova's election was existential: a clear choice between pro-EU PAS and a pro-Russian bloc that could reverse Western ties.
- A PAS win reduces immediate risk of Russian-backed rollback but long-term EU accession remains uncertain.
Evidence Of Coordinated Russian Interference
- Authorities uncovered large-scale vote-buying and troll farms tied to Russia, seizing cash and crypto worth about €55m.
- Undercover journalism and law enforcement exposed Moscow-coordinated disinformation aimed at destabilizing Moldova.
Pro-Europeans Voted Against Risk
- Many voters backed PAS despite disappointment because they framed the ballot as 'a vote for Europe' and democracy.
- Fear of being drawn into the Ukraine war and losing EU prospects motivated pro-European turnout.
