Chisinau
Russia’s parliamentary election has triggered a fresh diplomatic dispute with Moldova over Moscow’s decision to establish polling stations in the separatist Transdniestria region, highlighting tensions between the two countries over the breakaway territory and Russia’s influence there.
Moscow plans to open 15 polling stations in Transdniestria for Russian citizens participating in Sunday’s State Duma election. Russian authorities say around 220,000 residents of the region hold Russian passports and should therefore be allowed to vote.
Moldova disputes that figure and has rejected any Russian polling stations in Transdniestria, arguing that its government has no control over voting procedures in the separatist territory. Chisinau has instead said Russian nationals should vote at a single polling station located at the Russian embassy in the Moldovan capital.
Moldovan authorities described Russia’s plan as unacceptable and hostile and summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov to the Foreign Ministry. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded by calling on Moldova to withdraw its objections, saying the restrictions ran against democracy and international law.
Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi urged Moscow not to interfere in Moldova’s efforts toward the peaceful reintegration of the breakaway territory.
The dispute comes as Moldova pursues closer ties with the European Union and seeks membership by 2030, while its government has strongly criticised Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Transdniestria declared independence from Moldova in 1990 as the Soviet Union collapsed. The territory remains internationally unrecognised, including by Russia, but Moscow maintains a military contingent of about 1,500 personnel there.
In Russia’s 2021 parliamentary election, Moscow opened 27 polling stations in Transdniestria, where more than 59,000 people voted. United Russia, the party supporting President Vladimir Putin, received 76.2% of those votes.
