What's happened
Moldova's upcoming presidential elections are marred by allegations of Russian interference, including a $15 million vote-buying scheme. Police have reported over 130,000 citizens involved, with a referendum on EU membership coinciding with the elections on October 20, 2024.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Moscow Times, Moldova's police chief Viorel Cernauteanu described the vote-buying scheme as "unprecedented" and linked it to Russian funding. Politico reported that over 130,000 Moldovans received funds, highlighting the scale of interference. The Guardian emphasized the broader implications of Russia's tactics, warning that failure to address such interference could lead to a global trend of subversion. These sources collectively illustrate the gravity of the situation in Moldova as it approaches critical elections.
How we got here
Moldova, a former Soviet republic, has been increasingly aligning with the EU, prompting Russian efforts to undermine its democratic processes. The country is preparing for presidential elections and a referendum on EU membership on October 20, 2024.
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