On October 20, the Republic of Moldova faced a dual-measure ballot: presidential elections alongside a constitutional referendum to authorize accession to the European Union. Despite systemic disinformation, intimidation, and vote-buying campaigns perpetrated by Russian security services, the Moldovan resolve to secure a European future carried the referendum. Two weeks later, Moldova affirmed this commitment to Western democracy by re-electing incumbent President Maia Sandu in the second-round runoff.
These are watershed developments for Moldova, where the Sandu administration has striven to decouple from Russian energy, trade, diplomatic, and defense institutions. Although self-determination and pro-EU support prevailed in this election cycle, addressing vulnerability to hybrid Russian interference will be a key priority before next year’s parliamentary elections.
This briefing will analyze the results of the election and referendum, their impact on Moldova’s pursuit of a European future, and explore strategies to consolidate Moldovan democracy against Russian malign interference.
