The Disinformation Warning Coming From the Edge of Europe
WiredOCT 12 2024
With nearly all votes counted, electoral authorities in Moldova on Monday said a slim majority of the nation backed a path toward EU membership — with 50.39% voters in favor and 49.61% against.
However, the non-binding referendum in the nation of 2.5M people — which has emerged as a battleground for Russian and Western influence — was beset by allegations of foreign interference on both sides.
Moldova, which was formerly part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1990, gained its independence but became embroiled in a two-year civil war with Russian-speaking residents of Transnistria. Following a settlement, that area seceded from Moldova and has remained under the control of Russian forces.
There may be some disappointment from Sandu's supporters and her EU allies, but they shouldn't overlook that in the face of unprecedented levels of Russian interference, she and the EU referendum prevailed. Moldovans want to be part of the EU and that goal will be enshrined in the country's constitution.
The Kremlin observed a number of irregularities in these votes, including mechanical increases in vote tallies. Despite these and other measures carried out to repress opposition groups, it's significant that a majority of people still didn't back Sandu and the referendum passed by a razor-thin margin.