The Kremlin's spokespeople are becoming more and more active in Moldova's public space as the fall parliamentary elections are approaching, and the risk that these elections will be negatively influenced by propaganda and dirty money from outside the country is real, Moldova's President Maia Sandu warned on Friday, Radio Moldova quoted Moldovan President Maia Sandu as saying.
Maia Sandu: Kremlin spokespeople more active in public space ahead of parliamentary elections
Moscow is intensifying its efforts to manipulate, misinform and corrupt the electoral process in an attempt to derail the country's pro-European course, Maia Sandu said in a live broadcast of the NordNews news portal, according to Agerpres.
"The Kremlin has managed in the past to manipulate some of the people, buy votes and use disinformation. Now it wants to do the same. We want Moldovans to decide for Moldova, not under the influence of dirty money from outside the country, not under the influence of propaganda. It is important for all of us to remain a peaceful, free country where people are not afraid to express their opinion. Today's vote will influence our country's life and development not only for the next four years, but for decades to come," said Maia Sandu.
In the face of these dangers, the President of the Republic of Moldova urged Moldovan citizens to remain vigilant against external manipulations and to vote in the interest of their own country.
"We have to fight falsehoods, tell the truth and encourage massive voter turnout both in the country and in the diaspora," she said, stressing that the next legislature could be one of European integration, a historical landmark similar to the "1991 Parliament of Independence", the legislative body that voted on the Declaration of Independence on August 27, 1991, marking the proclamation of Moldova's independence after the disintegration of the USSR.
The stakes of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova scheduled for September 28 are crucial for the future of the republic: maintaining the pro-European course and joining the European Union in the next four years or, on the contrary, a possible return under the influence of the Russian Federation, comments Radio Moldova.
While the authorities and representatives of some extra-parliamentary parties emphasize a historic opportunity for European integration, the opposition accuses domestic failures and the use of geopolitical fears as an electoral tool, according to the radio station.
Experts in Chisinau warn of the risk of fragmentation of the pro-European electorate on the eve of the elections if there is no consensus among the pro-Western parties.
The electoral period for the September 28 parliamentary elections will begin on July 14, and the submission of documents for the registration of candidates for deputy will take place between July 20 and August 19, according to Radio Moldova.
