“With the Russians I met only poverty”: what the international press writes about the result of the elections in the Republic of Moldova. Between “historical vote” and an “unprecedented effort” of Russia

The result of the elections in the Republic of Moldova was widely treated by the international press, which emphasizes the historical nature of the election in the context in which the neighboring country voted in favor of continuing the European path. Numerous international publications have also reported the tense atmosphere in which the elections were held on the background of the Russian campaign to influence the voters.

“As a sign of the large stakes of these extremely tense choices, each part accused the other of manipulation and attempted intimidation during the campaign. The vote was especially shaded by the fears of votes and disorders, as well as an 'unprecedented misinformation' campaign,” according to the EU.

The French daily, who recalls that Moscow has denied these accusations, cites Igor Boțan, the director of the Moldovan tank followerwho stated that the Republic of Moldova “has never seen such a level before [de interferență străină] in an election campaign ”from obtaining his independence in 1991.

“As every Sunday, yesterday, in the park in front of the Government building, the elderly sold in stalls memories of the Soviet era. Lenin's busts and medals of the Red Army were offered to the one who offered the most, speaking strictly in Russian. Now clear, ”notes Corriere della Sera.

“All had highly hoped for the result of this vote that will make up for the next four years the future Parliament in Chisinau and, consequently, the new government. Until now the European Union has been so open by its favorable camp, through the visits of the heads and of the high representatives from Brussels. Adventured so far in the attempt to orient the result in his favor.

“In the west, they voted Europe; in the east, they chose Russia, so to speak. The young people want the new, the elders long after the past. Between them, almost as if they symbolized the fracture, the Dniester River flows,” notes Corriere, referring to the river that separates the majority of the Republic of Moldova from the separatist region proved Transnistria.

The Republic of Moldova voted “if it continues its European road or returns to the sphere of influence of Russia”

“The victory of the pro -European formation was broader than the polls provided and a society was expected by the effect of the interference and Russian propaganda. 30%.

The Spanish newspaper reminds in its turn that many analysts considered these elections as the most important in the history of the country, some “who had to decide whether to continue their European road or return to the sphere of influence of Russia.”

“From cyber attacks to manipulating information, going through attempts to falsify vote and preparations to incite violent protests – the whole campaign has a clear purpose: to divert the will of citizens,” said Pais Mihai Isac, an expert in the Black Sea region and in Russian misinformation, which emphasized that the elections were marked by a mass. orchestrated by the Kremlin ”.

“With the Russians I met only poverty for 80 years”

“In June 2022, Brussels declared both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, candidates for accession. Last year, a restricted majority in the country voted in favor of EU accession. On the streets of Chisinau, supporters of pro-European forces feared that this evolution could be canceled.”

“If the Propheuse forces would win, they could stop the trial,” said a Moldovan Corina Caireac, a Moldovan who works in the cultural sector, lived in France and speaks French. “I have already made many economic progress,” she praised her country, saying that “I do not want to return to the Soviet Union; I love my freedom.” “Her right to vote,” she says, is her weapon in a hybrid war that she has been against Russia for a long time. Like most Moldovans, she speaks not only Romanian, but also Russian fluent. She likes Russian culture, but says Ukraine-a problem, now divides friends and families in Moldova, “Handelsblatt notes.

“With the Russians I met only poverty for 80 years,” said the German newspaper and Oleg, a man who was to vote with his wife and son. “But the pro-European feeling in the Capital is far from being shared by all Moldovans. Especially in the Transnistria separatist region in the east of the country and in Gagauzia, an autonomous region in southeast Moldova, the population is considered critical to the EU and ProSuse,” concludes the German daily.

BBC recalls Dodon called people in the street

“Illustration of the tension around the vote, bomb alerts were reported at the polling stations in Italy, Romania, Spain and the USA. Other similar alerts were reported in Moldova, and three people were arrested under the suspicion of the plot on the day after the vote. Sunday and urged 'patience and calm' to allow the electoral process to be continued, ”the BBC reports.

The British Broadcasting Society also recalls that former Moldovan president Igor Dodon, “one of the main rivals of Maia Sandu, appeared on national television immediately after the closing of the ballot box. either announced ”. “Thanks to the Moldovans for voting 'in record number', Dodon asked the Government PAS to leave the power and supporters of all opposition parties to go out on the street to defend their vote,” BBC notes.

This also reminds that during the period prior to the vote, the police reported evidence of an unprecedented effort to spread misinformation and buy votes, as well as the fact that dozens of individuals were also arrested, accused of traveling to Serbia for training with firearms and coordinating disorders. The BBC also reminds of his own investigation, which discovered a network that promised to pay the participants if he publishes propaganda and false news.

“Crucial” elections in the Republic of Moldova, emphasizes Associated Press

“The pro-Western ruling party in the Republic of Moldova has obtained a decisive advance in a crucial parliamentary election, shadowed by the accusations of Russian interference. The elections were widely viewed as a geopolitical choice between the road to the European Union and a return to the sphere of influence of Moscow”, noted in an article and in an article. From the elections they were counted.

The news agency recalls that the day of the vote was marked by a series of incidents, from bomb threats to several polling stations abroad, to cyber attacks on the electoral and government infrastructure, voters who photographed their voting bulletins and people illegally transported to the polling stations.

“The vote on Sunday, with a huge stake, has been to a certain extent a decisive test for the Moldovan authorities in counteracting what they have long argue that it is a wide 'hybrid war' taken by Russia-accused of spending 'hundreds of millions' to try to take power in the Republic of Moldova and, finally, to the European.

“The so-called Russian strategies include a large operation of buying votes, cyber attacks, a plan to incite mass revolts around the elections and a vast online misinformation campaign meant to weaken the support for the pro-European ruling party and to orient the voters to the Police, the police. Searches and retained dozens of people who are stated to have been trained in Serbia to cause 'mass riots' and destabilize the country around these crucial elections, ”continues the International Press Agency.

“Russia has repeatedly denied that it would have been mixed in the affairs of the Republic of Moldova and rejected the accusations as' anti-Christians' and 'unfounded” last week, “not notes AP.