Moldova elections: US lawmakers warn of Russian interference
On social media platform X, they wrote, "Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to unduly influence the election results through malign influence operations."
In a joint statement, Mike Lawler and Deborah Ross, co-chairs of the Congressional Moldova Caucus, said they were "deeply concerned regarding Russia's continued efforts to undermine democracy in Moldova." They noted that the Kremlin has funneled 100 million euros to subvert the electoral process and discourage Moldovan citizens from supporting closer cooperation with the European Union.
The lawmakers also cited Moldovan authorities who uncovered a large-scale vote-buying scheme. It was found that $50 million were transferred to 130,000 Moldovan citizens as part of the operation in just the last two months.
Lawler and Ross said Russia’s hybrid warfare against Moldova was intolerable and warned that installing a puppet government in Chișinău would endanger regional stability and security along Ukraine's border.
"As co-chairs of the Congressional Moldova Caucus and staunch supporters of the transatlantic alliance, EU cohesion, and Moldova's democratic path, we support efforts to counter Russia's malign influence targeting Moldova's elections," the two lawmakers emphasized.
Moldova is holding parliamentary elections on Sunday, September 28. Voters will choose between 22 political parties, electoral blocs, and independent candidates.
The Moldovan parliament is composed of 101 members, elected from party lists for a four-year term.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
