Moldova election: Russia’s hybrid war threatens EU path
The 28 September poll was seen as pivotal to the country's geopolitical future, rather than merely a democratic exercise.
Cristian Pîrvulescu, a Romanian political scientist, warns Russia is deploying a hybrid strategy that relies on post-electoral challenges, destabilisation and fragile coalitions to block a pro-European government.
"The vote in Moldova is both historic and crucial. There are few alternatives from this point of view, and the geopolitical complications are immensely significant. Moldova has never been more important than it is today, nor has it made greater progress," the political scientist cautions.
He adds: "Russia hasn't said its final word. It will not receive the Moldovan elections with indifference, especially after making such substantial efforts to destabilise the country. The hybrid warfare waged in Moldova is even fiercer than that seen in Romania."
Strategically, Pîrvulescu describes a Russian agenda focused on undermining European integration, which he says enables Moscow to fragment the pro-Western front. "Russia has a medium- and long-term plan. The short-term goal is to destabilise the country's pro-European orientation," the analyst asserts.
Anticipating post-electoral escalations, the expert highlights classic Russian tactics of contesting the results, intended to erode the legitimacy of institutions and amplify social divisions, thereby undermining pro-EU reforms.
"They have announced a protest, and I expect these movements to continue. This is the standard Russian policy when attempting to destabilise a country after unfavourable results, in order to put pressure on public opinion and the government and create social instability. This is Moscow's standard playbook," the expert explained.
Nevertheless, Pîrvulescu expresses confidence in the resilience of Moldovan society, emphasising that civic discernment has counterbalanced external manipulations, keeping the country on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration. "Ultimately, the intelligence and reason of the Moldovan people prevail over the means Russia has deployed to derail the country from its European course," the Romanian analyst concludes.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
