CHISINAU, Moldova – Moldovans are casting their votes in a decisive presidential runoff on Sunday pitting pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu against a Russia-friendly opponent, as accusations of voter fraud and intimidation continue. threaten democracy in the candidate country to the European Union.

In it first round held on October 20Sandu obtained 42% of the votes, but did not achieve an absolute majority. He will face Alexandr Stoianoglo, former attorney general, who topped the polls in the first round with almost 26% of the vote.

Polling stations opened on Sunday at 7 am local time (0500 GMT) and will close at 9 pm (1900 GMT).

A poll published by research firm iData indicates a close race that is leaning towards a narrow victory for Sandu, an outcome that could depend on Moldova’s large diaspora. The presidential role carries significant powers in areas such as foreign policy and national security and has a four-year term.

The Moldovan diaspora played a key role in a national referendum also held on October 20, when a narrow majority of 50.35% voted to secure Moldova’s path to EU membership. But the results of the votes, including Sunday’s, have been overshadowed by accusations of a major vote-buying scheme and voter intimidation.

Instead of gaining the overwhelming support Sandu had hoped for, the results in both elections exposed Moldova’s judiciary as unable to adequately protect citizens. democratic process.

On Friday, Moldova Prime Minister Dorin Recean said people across the country were receiving “anonymous death threats through phone calls” in what he called “an extreme attack” to scare voters in the former republic. Soviet, which has a population of around 2.5 million. people.

“These acts of intimidation have only one purpose: to create panic and fear,” Recean said in a statement posted on social media. “I assure you that the institutions of the State will guarantee order and protect citizens.”

Outside a polling station on Sunday in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, 20-year-old medical student Silviana Zestrea said the runoff would be a “definitive step” toward Moldova’s future.

“People need to understand that we have to elect a real candidate who meets our expectations,” he said. “Because I think even if we were a diaspora now, none of us really wanted to leave.”

In the wake of the two October elections, Moldovan authorities said that Ilan Shor, an exiled oligarch living in Russia who was orchestrated by a vote-buying scheme, convicted in absentia last year fraud and money laundering. Shor denies any wrongdoing.

Prosecutors say $39 million was paid to more than 130,000 recipients between September and October through an internationally sanctioned Russian bank. Anti-corruption authorities have carried out hundreds of searches and seized more than $2.7 million (€2.5 million) in cash as they seek to crack down.

In one case in Gagauzia, an autonomous part of Moldova where only 5% voted in favor of the EU, a doctor was arrested after allegedly forcing 25 residents of a nursing home to vote for a candidate they did not choose. Police said they obtained “conclusive evidence,” including financial transfers from the same Russian bank.

On Saturday at a church in Comrat, the capital of Gagauzia, Father Vasilii told the Associated Press that he urged people to go vote because it is a “civic obligation” and that they do not name any candidate. “We use the assets that the country offers us: electricity, gas,” he said. “Whether we like or not what the government does, we must go and vote. …The church always prays for peace.”

On Thursday, prosecutors also raided the headquarters of a political party and said 12 people were suspected of paying voters to select a candidate in the presidential race. A criminal case was also opened in which 40 employees of state agencies were suspected of accepting electoral bribes.

Cristian Cantir, a Moldovan associate professor of international relations at Oakland University, told the AP that whatever the outcome of the second round, “it will not deflate” geopolitical tensions. “On the contrary, I hope that geopolitical polarization will be amplified with the campaign for the 2025 legislative elections,” he stated.

Moldovan law enforcement needs more resources and better-trained personnel working at a faster pace to address election fraud, he added, to “create an environment where anyone who is tempted to buy or sell votes knows there will be clear consequences.” and fast.”

Savlina Adasan, a 21-year-old economics student from Bucharest, says she voted for Sandu, citing concerns about corruption and uninformed voters about the two candidates.

“We want a European future for our country,” he said, adding that it offers “many opportunities, development for our country… and I feel that if the other candidate wins, it means that we go back ten steps as a country.” .”

A pro-Western government has been in power in Moldova since 2021, and parliamentary elections will be held in 2025. Moldova observers warn that next year’s vote could be Moscow’s main target.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied to join the EU. He was granted candidate status in June of that year and, in the summer of 2024, Brussels accepted to begin membership negotiations. The sharp turn toward the West irritated Moscow and significantly soured relations with Chisinau.

Since then, Moldovan authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of waging a vast “hybrid war,” from extensive disinformation campaigns to protests by pro-Russian parties and vote-buying schemes that undermine elections across the country. Russia has denied it is meddling.

——

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