Moldova’s pro-EU party won decisively against a Russian-leaning rival, boosting EU ties, while the Kremlin questioned election fairness over voting access restrictions
Moscow
The Kremlin on Monday accused Moldova of blocking Moldovan citizens in Russia from voting in recent parliamentary elections. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said only two polling stations were provided for around 500,000 Moldovan voters in Russia, making it nearly impossible for most to cast their ballots.
“This deprived hundreds of thousands of Moldovans of the right to vote in the Russian Federation,” Peskov told reporters. He noted Moldovan citizens in Russia generally favour pro-Russian political forces.
Moldova’s pro-European Union ruling party won a strong victory in Sunday’s election over a Russian-leaning rival, a boost for efforts to move closer to the EU and away from Moscow’s influence. The Kremlin questioned the fairness of the election, citing restricted voting access.
Peskov added that some Moldovan political groups had raised concerns about violations and called for resolution within Moldova. “First, Moldovans should sort this matter themselves,” he said.
Moldovan authorities reported just over 4,000 votes cast in Russia, with about two-thirds for the main pro-Russian bloc. By contrast, in Germany — where fewer Moldovans live — more than 38,000 votes were cast at 36 polling stations, most for the ruling party.
Most large European countries with Moldovan residents offered more than two polling stations. Russian officials said this limited access in Russia was a serious issue that affected the democratic process. The Kremlin’s remarks add to existing tensions between Moscow and Chișinău after Moldova’s shift toward the EU and away from Russian influence.
