Moldova referendum: Diaspora vote tips scales toward EU membership
On October 20, Moldovans worldwide mobilised in large numbers to actively participate in the vote.
Although the national referendum passed with a narrow majority, the diaspora vote proved decisive, tipping the balance in favour of amending the Constitution, thereby paving the way for the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union.
According to Central Electoral Commission data, the majority of diaspora votes were cast in countries with large Moldovan communities, such as Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, where numerous polling stations were organised. While most votes from Western Europe favoured “YES,” voters from Russia, as well as Bulgaria—an EU member country—showed a stronger preference for “NO.”
Moldovans in Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom Among the Most Active
The largest Moldovan communities abroad turned out strongly at the polls, with Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom recording the highest number of votes cast, the majority supporting “YES.”
Italy
YES: 72% (42,594) | NO: 28% (16,457)
Germany
YES: 76% (22,281) | NO: 24% (7,181)
United Kingdom
YES: 83% (21,205) | NO: 17% (4,381)
How Moldovans in Neighboring Romania and Ukraine Voted
Ukraine
YES: 80% (265) | NO: 20% (68)
Romania
YES: 89% (21,727) | NO: 11% (2,625)
Countries Where "NO" Dominated: Russia and Bulgaria
In sharp contrast, Moldovans in Russia, Turkey, and Bulgaria expressed a majority preference for “NO,” a trend differing significantly from Western Europe.
Russia
YES: 9% (700) | NO: 91% (6,883)
Israel
YES: 38% (1,080) | NO: 62% (1,740)
Turkey
YES: 28% (421) | NO: 72% (1,084)
Bulgaria
YES: 39% (158) | NO: 61% (250)
Regions with Near-Unanimous Support for "YES"
Certain regions, although reporting lower numbers of votes cast, showed nearly unanimous support for “YES.”
Translation by Iurie Tataru
