The crowd filing through central Chisinau waving EU flags on Friday evening was clear: they believe Russia is trying to steal their election and bring pro-Kremlin politicians to power in Moldova.
Their weapon is money, your weapon is your vote! was the loudest chant as several hundred supporters of the governing party, PAS, and its pro-European policies joined the final rally before Sunday's ballot.
This week Moldovan police and prosecutors disclosed evidence of election interference on an unprecedented scale: vote-buying and disinformation linked directly to Russia. They've also uncovered a plot to foment violent unrest, detaining dozens of men who travelled to Serbia for training in the use of firearms.
Opposition parties dismiss talk of Russian meddling as a political show, claiming the government is laying the ground to annul the vote should PAS lose its majority in parliament.
But Moldova took a decisive turn towards EU membership and away from Moscow after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now, evidence suggests Russia has been investing heavily in restoring its influence.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean sees these elections as a final battle for his country, emphasizing the constant pressure from Russia. They're spending the equivalent of more than 1% of our GDP to overthrow our government - on propaganda and false messages, he stated.
Meanwhile, tensions rise as Moldova's political landscape becomes increasingly polarized. Dodon, a key opposition figure, openly discusses restoring relations with Moscow, poising the nation on a precarious line between Western integration and Eastern allegiance.
As Moldovans head to the polls, the underlying battle—between a pro-European vision and a potential return to Russian influence—remains a significant concern, with widespread speculation on the integrity of the upcoming vote amidst allegations of foreign interference.
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