Why Moldova’s election is important for the whole of Europe
Why Moldova’s election is important for the whole of Europe
If Moldova pivots towards Moscow after its next election, this will leave Ukraine and other European nations exposed.
Parliamentary elections will be held in Moldova on September 28. While this may seem like a minor event for the rest of Europe, implications for the rest of the continent’s security and stability could be profound.
Moldova plays a vital role in supporting Ukraine. Even though it is among Europe’s poorest countries, it absorbed over 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees at one point during the war and is now home to more than 100,000.
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Should Moldova pivot towards Moscow, Ukraine’s support structure will be weakened, undermining the EU’s eastern resilience. This would increase the risk of military attacks around the EU’s borders, with Romania looking particularly threatened, but increased attacks on Poland and the Baltic states not out of the question.
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Moldova has become a testing ground for Russian cyberattacks and large-scale disinformation campaigns.
It has been a target of Russian political interference. This was evident in the presidential elections and EU referendum in 2024, where attempts at manipulation and foreign influence were widely documented.
Similar, if not more, interference from Russia is expected in the upcoming election by the current Moldovan government and the EU.
These 2025 elections come at a decisive moment, not only for Moldova’s future but for the rest of Europe. Other countries need to pay attention to what is happening, and any interference in how the election is carried out.