– We see massive interference in our election process. This is an attempt that has great potential to influence our election, writes President Sandu‘s national security adviser, Stanislav Secrieru, on X, according to Reuters.
On Sunday, the second and decisive round of the presidential election will be held in the country, which borders Ukraine.
In the first round, EU-friendly Maia Sandu won a clear victory with 42.5 percent of the vote. Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is supported by a pro-Russian socialist party, got 26 percent.
But in the second round, only these two are taking part, and several other opposition candidates have joined Stoianogo.
Want ties to both east and west
Russia has so far not commented on the new allegations of interference, but has previously denied such accusations. It came after Moldova accused Ilan Shor, who is a Moldovan oligarch living in Russia, of using millions of dollars to pay voters to go against Sandu. He denies having done anything illegal.
Stoianoglo says that he supports closer cooperation with the EU, but also wants to establish closer ties with Russia, among other things to get cheaper gas deliveries. He also wants to meet President Vladimir Putin if there is a desire in Moldova.
– I voted for a free, stable and prosperous Moldova that does not stand with outstretched hand, but develops a harmonious relationship both with the West and the East, Stoianoglo said after voting in the capital Chisinau on Sunday.
Trojan horse
Stoianoglo’s statements about maintaining a balanced relationship between East and West contrast with incumbent President Maia Sandu’s four years in power where relations with the Kremlin have collapsed.
Russian diplomats have been expelled, and she has condemned the invasion of Ukraine. Russia has described her government as “Russophobic”.
Sandu, for his part, portrays Stoianoglo as a Trojan horse working for the Kremlin. According to Reuters, she says that Sunday’s election is about a choice between a bright future with EU membership by 2030 and uncertainty and instability.
Can be even
The polling stations close at 20:00 tonight Norwegian time.
A recent opinion poll suggested that there could be an even result in the decisive round.
The first round of elections was held at the same time as the referendum on whether Moldova should aim to join the EU.
A very narrow majority voted for the EU. Sandu believes that it was foreign interference that made the result in the referendum so even.
She has accused criminal groups of collaborating with Russia by buying votes to influence the election outcome. The authorities in Russia have rejected the accusations.
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**Interview with Stanislav Secrieru, National Security Adviser to President Maia Sandu of Moldova**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Stanislav. As the presidential runoff election approaches, there have been serious allegations of foreign interference in Moldova’s electoral process. Can you elaborate on what you’ve observed?
**Secrieru:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, we are witnessing a concerning trend of interference in our election process, primarily attributed to external actors who seek to undermine our democratic choices. We believe this interference has the potential to significantly influence the outcome of the election. It’s a tactic we refuse to ignore, as it poses a direct threat to our sovereignty and democratic integrity.
**Editor:** In the first round of voting, President Maia Sandu secured a notable lead with 42.5% of the votes. How do you think this will impact voter sentiment heading into the runoff, especially with allegations against Ilan Shor regarding vote-buying?
**Secrieru:** Maia Sandu’s victory in the first round was a clear message from the Moldovan people in favor of pro-European governance. However, the allegations against Shor, who is leveraging his resources from abroad to manipulate the electorate, could create uncertainty. It’s crucial that voters remain vigilant and not be swayed by illicit tactics. We are urging citizens to base their decisions on the candidates’ genuine intentions and vision for Moldova’s future.
**Editor:** With Alexandr Stoianoglo receiving support from a pro-Russian faction, how do you perceive the future of Moldova’s ties with both East and West?
**Secrieru:** The Moldovan people are at a crossroads. While there is a clear desire for a European path highlighted by Maia’s supporters, we must also acknowledge the concerns of citizens who may feel more aligned with Russia. It is vital for us to work toward a balanced approach, fostering relationships that respect our sovereignty while allowing us to engage openly with both Eastern and Western partners.
**Editor:** Russia has yet to respond to the allegations of interference. Why do you think they remain silent on this issue?
**Secrieru:** Historically, Russia has denied involvement in such accusations, which aligns with their strategic interests in the region. Their silence can be interpreted as an attempt to maintain plausible deniability while continuing their agenda through proxies. This lack of accountability only emphasizes the importance of our own internal mechanisms to fortify our democratic processes.
**Editor:** Thank you, Stanislav, for sharing your insights on this crucial moment for Moldova as it heads toward a decisive election.
**Secrieru:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we continue this dialogue and keep the integrity of our elections at the forefront as we navigate these challenges.
