CHISINAU: A Moldovan security official accused Russia on Sunday of “massive interference” as Moldovans voted in a tightly contested presidential election that could see Moscow claw back influence in a country drawing closer to the European Union.

Pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu, who has accelerated the nation’s push to leave Moscow’s orbit and join the EU, faces Alexandr Stoianoglo, an ex-prosecutor general backed by the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party.

The fortunes of Sandu, who set Moldova on the long path of EU accession talks in June, is being closely watched in Brussels a week after Georgia, another ex-Soviet state seeking membership, re-elected a ruling party regarded in the West as increasingly pro-Russian.

Moldova’s future has been in the spotlight since Russia in 2022 began its full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine to the east.

“We’re seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process ... an effort with high potential to distort the outcome,” Sandu’s national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru wrote on X.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow, which has denied past allegations of meddling, as Moldova has accused Ilan Shor, a fugitive oligarch living in Russia, of spending millions of dollars to pay off voters to oppose Sandu. He denies wrongdoing.

Stoianoglo says he supports EU integration, but also wants to develop ties with Russia in the national interest. He wants to renegotiate cheap Russian gas supplies and said he would meet with President Vladimir Putin if Moldovans wanted it.

“I voted for a free, stable and blossoming Moldova that isn’t standing with its hand out, but develops in harmony based on relations with the West and East,” he said after casting his ballot.

Sunday’s results will set the tone for parliamentary elections next year when Sandu’s party may struggle to retain its majority and that will determine the political slant of the future government.

“Today is a crucial day for us... we go in one direction or the other. We didn’t have such an important day in the last 30 years,” said Mihai David, 58, who voted in Chisinau.

“My son is in Germany, and I’m happy about it. I was there and its much better and we want it to be the same here,” said Maria Fefilova, 68, a pensioner.

Stoianoglo’s East-West balancing rhetoric contrasts with Sandu’s four years in power, during which ties with the Kremlin have unravelled, Moscow’s diplomats have been expelled and she has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow has said that her government is “Russophobic”.

Sandu portrays Stoianoglo as the Kremlin’s man and a political Trojan horse, painting Sunday’s vote as a choice between a bright future in the EU by 2030 and one of uncertainty and instability.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2024