Moldova’s EU referendum saw a narrow win, despite anti-EU sentiment and concerns over Russian influence.
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Moldova’s referendum on enshrining EU accession as a constitutional goal resulted in a narrow victory for the pro-EU side, despite significant mobilization against it fueled by disinformation often linked to Moscow. Voter turnout was only slightly above 51.5 percent. While Maia Sandu is still respected for her progress in integration and foreign policy, she is viewed more critically regarding economic and social policies. Her presidential campaign also saw a less expected result in the first round, with a second round scheduled against former prosecutor Alexandru Stoianoglo, who has support from pro-Russian socialists. Sandu’s administration has pursued a clearly pro-Western course since 2020 while managing traditional Moldovan neutrality and challenging old political structures linked to Russian oligarch networks. Public sentiment shows dissatisfaction with the government’s social policies, with some citizens echoing Russian propaganda regarding EU involvement in conflict or cultural issues. Allegations of vote buying surfaced, with reports indicating organized attempts to influence votes, particularly in the Gagauz region, where local leaders consulted Moscow and voted strongly against EU integration, raising concerns about a potential path similar to Moldova’s breakaway Transnistria region.
