Russia ‘deeply interfering’ in Moldova’s Sept 28 vote, says EU
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A billboard in Moldova showing a caricature of Russian President Vladimir Putin pulling the strings of various people ahead of the country's Sept 28 parliamentary election.
PHOTO: AFP
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- The EU stated Moldova faces "an unprecedented campaign of disinformation" from Russia before its Sept 28 election.
- Russia aims to disrupt Moldova’s pro-European path via manipulation, disinformation and electoral interference said Anitta Hipper.
- Moldova, between Ukraine and Romania, is divided between EU ties and relations with Moscow, and the EU supports its leaders.
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BRUSSELS - The EU on Sept 25 said Moldova was facing “an unprecedented campaign of disinformation” from Russia ahead of key parliamentary elections on Sept 28, with the aim of knocking the country off its pro-European course.
“It’s not the first time that Russia is employing textbook manipulation and disinformation tactics, but they’re resorting to much more,” EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said.
“They are deeply interfering in the electoral process.”
Moldova’s pro-EU premier Maia Sandu, whose party is narrowly in the lead according to polls, has warned that the Kremlin is looking to buy votes, stir unrest and wage an online disinformation campaign.
Moscow denied the allegations and accused Moldovan authorities of spreading anti-Russian rhetoric.
“The authorities are so afraid of the elections that they are hampering the nomination of candidates, participation in the vote, and observation of the vote,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Ms Maria Zakharova, said in a statement.
Poland and the Baltic states have banned Moldovan pro-Russian politician Irina Vlah from entering, accusing her of facilitating the Russian interference in the elections.
Wedged between Ukraine – currently fighting off a Russian invasion – and European Union member Romania, Moldova has long been divided over forging closer ties with Brussels or maintaining Soviet-era relations with Moscow, from which it gained independence in 1991.
The EU has thrown its weight behind Moldova’s leaders ahead of the election, with the heads of Germany, France and Poland making a highly symbolic visit
