The pro-Europeans achieve a landslide victory in the parliamentary election in Moldova, following an election dominated by geopolitics and Russian interference, whose efforts ultimately proved futile. However, the results also show that the Republic of Moldova continues to remain deeply divided.
Newly leaked internal documents, made public after the exposure of Russian activists’ data, once again reveal the scale of financial flows directed at promoting pro-Russian ideas – in this case, in Moldova. The leaked documents highlight the key channels of financing, the structure of spending, and their potential Russian influence on public opinion abroad.
While under hybrid assault from Moscow, the Republic of Moldova is preparing for legislative elections that, like other elections in the past, are considered "crucial." The election will take place in a context where pro-Europeans are declining in popularity and the pro-Russian opposition is gaining strength.
Ceban, banned in Romania, has made anti-EU statements and worked with the pro-Russian leaders Vladimir Voronin and Igor Dodon. He now wants to be the leader of the pro-European opposition, but there are suspicions that he prefers Moscow.
Teenagers and young men in the Russian-occupied territories have been killed or handed long prison sentences for expressing their support for Ukraine. Ukrainian journalists Inna Kubai and Victoria Novikova have documented* several of these cases, which Veridica brings to your attention.
The political evolution of (Neo)Legionarism, from pocket political parties, such as those created by Marian Munteanu, to organizations like The New Right (Noua Dreaptă) – the connecting link between (Neo)Legionarism and sovereigntism – and politicians who frequently make the front page, such as George Simion, Călin Georgescu and Diana Șoșoacă.
According to a pro-Russian Telegram channel, Chisinau does not observe press freedom, as it banned the St. George’s ribbon. In fact, the ribbon was banned as a symbol of the Russian military aggression, and Moldova ranks very highly in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index.
The Republic of Moldova can join the EU only at the cost of destroying the Moldovan Orthodox Church and getting involved in the war in Ukraine, according to a piece of disinformation published by noi.md, a website known for spreading false narratives.
On April 7, 2009, PAS leaders in Moldova were involved in an attempted coup coordinated by the West, claims a Socialist MP known for spreading false narratives. Bogdan Țîrdea also says that, subsequently, the West took control of Moldova’s strategic institutions.
Ukraine has mined the border with Transnistria, which is proof that the Republic of Moldova is being pushed from outside toward military action, according to an illogical narrative promoted by the pro-Kremlin propaganda.
With fuel prices going up worldwide due to the war in the Middle East, pro-Russian propaganda claims that, in fact, prices in Moldova have risen because of Maia Sandu.
Kremlin propaganda falsely claims that President Maia Sandu said Ukraine is a source of arms smuggling and that Moldova will send troops to that country.
Russia lost a battle in the hybrid war against Chișinău, but the election also revealed Moldova's vulnerabilities, the pro-Europeans' faulty communication and the need for the authorities to do more. Veridica’s staff and contributors analyze the result of the election.