Election observation: Moldova | International Republican Institute

On October 20, Moldovans will go to the polls to choose their next president in a race between incumbent President Maia Sandu and 10 other candidates. After formal accession negotiations begin in June 2024, voters will also take part in a constitutional referendum on joining the European Union (EU).

What are the problems?

The question of EU accession dominated this election. Sandu’s party introduced the necessary reforms to obtain the status of an EU candidate country and begin accession negotiations after the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. If the referendum is approved, Moldova’s European path will be enshrined in the country’s constitution and will signal to the EU the desire of Moldovans to join the European Union.

What can we expect?

President Sandu has been in power since December 2020 and is leading Sunday’s race. To win the election in this first round, Sandu must win more than 50% of the vote. If no one achieves an absolute majority, a second round of voting will take place on November 3rd. According to a recent IRI poll, an estimated 90% of Moldovans are likely to vote, and more than half plan to vote “yes” on the issue of EU membership.

What is at stake?

There is a risk of Russian interference in both contests, with the Kremlin trying to push Moldova out of Europe. Stephen Nix, IRI’s senior director for Eurasia, said: “As Moldova navigates significant internal and external challenges, the integrity of this election is critical not only for the nation, but also for the region’s overall stability.”

IRI in Moldova

IRI has deployed an International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) to monitor the election, led by six-term US Congressman Peter Roskam and former EU Commissioner and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Danuta Hübner. Other prominent members of the mission include Polish Senator Tomasz Lenz and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Latvia Jānis Bordāns.

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