Moldovans to choose president in decisive runoff overshadowed by fraud and intimidation claims

CHISINAU, Moldova -- Moldovans are casting votes successful a decisive statesmanlike runoff Sunday that pits pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu against a Russia-friendly opponent, arsenic ongoing claims of elector fraud and intimidation threaten democracy successful nan European Union campaigner country.

In nan first information held Oct. 20, Sandu obtained 42% of nan ballot but grounded to triumph an outright majority. She will look Alexandr Stoianoglo, a erstwhile charismatic general, who outperformed polls successful nan first information pinch almost 26% of nan vote. Polls opened Sunday astatine 7 a.m. section clip (0500 GMT) and will adjacent astatine 9 p.m. (1900 GMT).

A canvass released by investigation institution iData indicates a tight title that leans toward a constrictive Sandu victory, an result that mightiness trust connected Moldova’s ample diaspora. The statesmanlike domiciled carries important powers successful areas specified arsenic overseas argumentation and nationalist information and has a four-year term.

Moldova's diaspora played a cardinal domiciled successful a nationwide referendum besides held connected Oct. 20, erstwhile a constrictive mostly of 50.35% voted successful favour of securing Moldova's way toward EU membership. But nan results of nan ballots including Sunday's ballot person been overshadowed by allegations of a awesome vote-buying scheme and elector intimidation.

Instead of winning nan overwhelming support that Sandu had hoped, nan results successful some races exposed Moldova’s judiciary arsenic incapable to adequately protect nan democratic process.

On Friday, Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that group passim nan state were receiving “anonymous decease threats via telephone calls” successful what he called “an utmost attack” to scare voters successful nan erstwhile Soviet republic, which has a organization of astir 2.5 cardinal people.

“These acts of intimidation person only 1 purpose: to create panic and fear,” Recean said successful a connection posted connected societal media. “I guarantee you that authorities institutions will guarantee bid and protect citizens."

In nan aftermath of nan 2 October votes, Moldovan rule enforcement said that a vote-buying strategy was orchestrated by Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch who lives successful Russia and was convicted successful absentia past year of fraud and money laundering. Shor denies immoderate wrongdoing.

Prosecutors opportunity $39 cardinal was paid to much than 130,000 recipients done an internationally sanctioned Russian slope to voters betwixt September and October. Anticorruption authorities person conducted hundreds of searches and seized complete $2.7 cardinal (2.5 cardinal euros) successful rate arsenic they effort to ace down.

In 1 lawsuit successful Gagauzia, an autonomous portion of Moldova wherever only 5% voted successful favour of nan EU, a expert was detained aft allegedly coercing 25 residents of a location for older adults to ballot for a campaigner they did not choose. Police said they obtained “conclusive evidence,” including financial transfers from nan aforesaid Russian bank.

On Saturday astatine a religion successful Comrat, nan superior of Gagauzia, Father Vasilii told nan Associated Press that he's urged group to spell and ballot because it's a “civic obligation” and that they do not sanction immoderate candidates. “We usage nan equipment nan state offers america — light, gas,” he said. “Whether we for illustration what nan authorities does aliases not, we must spell and vote. ... The religion ever prays for peace.”

On Thursday, prosecutors besides raided a governmental statement office and said 12 group were suspected of paying voters to prime a campaigner successful nan statesmanlike race. A criminal lawsuit was besides opened successful which 40 authorities agency labor were suspected of taking electoral bribes.

Cristian Cantir, a Moldovan subordinate professor of world relations astatine Oakland University, told nan AP that immoderate nan result of nan 2nd round, it “will not deflate” geopolitical tensions. “On nan contrary, I expect geopolitical polarization to beryllium amplified by nan run for nan 2025 legislative elections,” he said.

Moldovan rule enforcement needs much resources and better-trained unit moving astatine a faster gait to tackle elector fraud, he added, to “create an situation successful which anyone tempted to either bargain aliases waste votes knows location will beryllium clear and accelerated consequences."

A pro-Western authorities has been successful powerfulness successful Moldova since 2021, and a parliamentary predetermination will beryllium held successful 2025. Moldova watchers pass that adjacent year’s ballot could beryllium Moscow’s main target.

In nan aftermath of Russia’s penetration of Ukraine successful 2022, Moldova applied to subordinate nan EU. It was granted campaigner position successful June of that year, and successful summertime 2024, Brussels agreed to commencement rank negotiations. The crisp Westward displacement irked Moscow and importantly soured relations pinch Chisinau.

Since then, Moldovan authorities person many times accused Russia of waging a immense “hybrid war,” from sprawling disinformation campaigns to protests by pro-Russia parties to vote-buying schemes that undermine countrywide elections. Russia has denied it is meddling.

——

Stephen McGrath reported from Bucharest, Romania; Nicolae Dumitrache from Comrat, Moldova.