Moldova votes again: West vs East clash in crucial presidential election
Moldovans choose between pro-EU and Russia-friendly candidates in presidential runoff. Election marked by vote-buying investigations and voter intimidation reports as country moves towards EU membership
In todays Moldova presidential run-off Maia Sandu faces Alexandr Stoianoglo - a choice that shows the nations split between EU and Russian paths. The first-round voting two weeks ago didnt give anyone a clear win: Sandu got 42% while Stoianoglo surprised with 26%
Recent weeks brought serious problems to light: law-enforcement found a huge vote-buying network (they say it used about $39 million through a Russian bank) and many people got scary phone-calls. “These acts of intimidation have only one purpose; to create panic and fear“ - Dorin Recean the prime-minister wrote on-line
The voting happens right after Moldovaʼs big step towards EU: last month a nation-wide vote barely passed with 50.35% supporting EU membership. Police found lots of problems in places like Gagauzia where only 5% wanted EU - in one case a doctor made 25 old-folks-home people vote wrong
- Police took $2.7 million in cash from bad guys
- They found 130000 people got money for votes
- About 40 government workers might have taken bribes
- Law-people searched many places to find proof
Moldova got EU candidate status about 2 years ago and will start membership talks next summer. But Russia isnt happy - since the Ukraine war started Moldova says Moscow tries to mess things up using fake-news and pro-Russia groups. The next big test will be parliament voting in 2025
