EU accession candidate
Referendum in Moldova: EU course narrowly accepted by majority
Updated 10/21/2024 – 5:37 p.mReading time: 4 minutes
In the ex-Soviet Republic of Moldova, which is wavering between the West and Russia, the pro-European course is now to be anchored in the constitution. It won’t be easy for President Sandu.
In the former Soviet Republic of Moldova, the population voted by a very thin majority in a referendum to anchor the EU course in the constitution. After all ballot papers had been counted, according to the electoral commission, 50.46 percent of participants voted in favor of enshrining a pro-European course as an unchangeable strategic goal in the constitution. That was 751,235 yes votes against 737,639 no votes (49.54 percent).
According to Moldovan media, people in the majority of regions in the country voted against the constitutional change. The tipping point in the other direction was the hundreds of thousands of Moldovans living abroad – especially in the EU. Pro-Western leader Maia Sandu thanked the diaspora for saving the vote.
Moldova, with 2.5 million inhabitants, has traditionally been torn between the West and Russia. The impoverished agricultural country, located between EU and NATO member Romania and Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia, is a candidate for EU membership.
The 52-year-old Sandu, who also won the presidential election in the first round, had expected a significantly better result. According to observers, she did not emerge stronger from election Sunday.
The referendum is valid, but must be confirmed by the Constitutional Court. The judges could still overturn it because of irregularities. If they confirm it, the constitution will be changed.
In the presidential election that was held at the same time, Sandu was the first among the eleven candidates to pass the target, but missed the absolute majority and therefore has to go into a runoff election in two weeks. Sandu asked for the votes of those voters who voted for one of the four other pro-European candidates.
The double vote was well organized – especially in view of the attempted influence from outside, according to observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). However, short-term changes to the law before the election were criticized. The Moldovan leadership’s campaign for a yes to the EU, combined with Sandu’s fight for re-election, put other candidates at a disadvantage, the OSCE observers said.
According to the electoral commission, turnout in the vote for the presidency was 51.68 percent. After the ballot papers were counted, Sandu received around 42.45 percent of the votes. In the second round on November 3rd, former Attorney General Alexandru Stoianoglo will be her opponent. He received 25.98 percent of the vote and ran for the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian former President Igor Dodon.

There is evidence that 300,000 votes were bought, Sandu said at a nightly appearance in the capital Chisinau. Tens of millions of euros were spent by criminal groups in cooperation with foreign powers to spread lies and propaganda. “We are facing an unprecedented attack on freedom and democracy in our country,” Sandu said.
The head of state did not give any details. However, Moldovan security forces had already uncovered voter bribery and pro-Russian disinformation before the vote. The federal government in Berlin condemned ongoing attempts at manipulation and influence. Russia is demanding proof of the serious allegations made by Sandu, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
In addition to Russia, the oligarch loyal to Moscow, Ilan Shor, who fled abroad, is considered an influential player in Moldovan politics. He was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for money laundering and fraud and is wanted. According to Russian state media, Shor accused his rival Sandu of failing in the election – Moldova does not need the EU.
Russia accuses the European Union of influencing the vote by promising billions of euros. During a visit to Chisinau and a meeting with Sandu shortly before the vote, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised 1.8 billion euros in funding. The financial injection is stated to be primarily intended to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve services and infrastructure.