Political expert Roman Russu on Moldova’s EU referendum results

Moldovans on Oct. 20 supported constitutional amendments in a national referendum that will pave the way for the country’s accession to the European Union (EU). Voters narrowly approved the constitutional changes, according to the Central Electoral Commission. 

Fifty percent, or 751,235 individuals, supported adding a clause about Moldova’s European future to the constitution. Meanwhile 49.54 percent, or 737,639 people, voted against it. The margin between supporters and opponents of European integration was 13,596 votes, approximately 0.92 percent. 

“This victory was hard-won due to the intense hybrid attack from Russia, which attempted to sabotage the referendum or achieve the result it wanted,” said Roman Russu, a political scientist and a member of the leadership of National Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova (NCUM), in a comment to the Ukrainian World Congress. 

Now, Moldova’s pro-European course must be enshrined in the country’s constitution, provided that the Constitutional Court confirms the results of the referendum, Russu added.

Tipping the scale in favor of EU membership were Moldovans living abroad. At the same time, the majority of residents at home voted against closer ties with the European Union. 

“Even in the capital, Chișinău, 44 percent of voters opposed the constitutional measure, meaning nearly half the residents. In the most pro-Russian region of Gagauzia, negative responses reached 95 percent,” reported European Pravda. 

The referendum took place simultaneously with the first of two rounds of presidential elections. Incumbent Maia Sandu placed first, but a run-off election will be held on Nov. 3. 

Russu added that the run-off poses another challenge for Moldova’s pro-European future. Sandu’s opponent, former Attorney General Alexandr Stoianoglo, is the candidate from the pro-Russian Party of Socialists. 

“A strong mobilization of healthy forces both in Moldova and from the civilized world is needed to uphold this victory during the second round of presidential elections and in the parliamentary elections scheduled for 2025,” said Russu.