cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/3803492
...
Fears of Russian meddling have been looming large as Sandu has been steering Moldova toward official EU accession talks that started in June 2024.
"The Russian Federation wants to control Moldova from the fall and is preparing an unprecedented interference in the September elections," including by vote buying and illicit financing through cryptocurrencies for which "100 million euros" have been earmarked, [Moldova's pro-European President Maia] Sandu told a press conference on Wednesday.
The head of state, who won last year's re-election, detailed the plans Moscow has allegedly put in place ahead of the vote.
Sandu said the Kremlin was planning to launch "information manipulation campaigns" and cyber attacks, and organise paid "violent" protests, while also looking to exploit traditional religious structures.
...
She accused the two main opposition forces of taking advantage of Moscow's plans to deprive her centre-right Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) of its parliamentary majority.
Sandu was referring to people affiliated to fugitive pro-Russian politician Ilan Shor, who she said was leading a "criminal group" that was aiming to destabilise the country by protests and "creating networks of vote buying".
Furthermore, she called out the Russian-financed "sovereignist" force that promotes Euroscepticism and the subordination of the country's interests to those of Moscow.
Lastly, "the moderate pro-European electorate" was being targeted in a bid to sow doubt among it, including by sabotaging the electoral process overseas.
"All these projects are coordinated from the same command point" in Moscow, she said. According to a recent poll, Sandu's PAS is currently leading with 39% support, followed by the pro-Russian opposition Socialist party at 14.9%.
...
In the past, authorities have accused pro-Russian media and activists of disseminating disinformation in Moldova, with scores of outlets and Telegram channels being shut down. Sandu criticised Telegram for not responding to reports regarding voter corruption on its platform.