The russian federation is preparing an unprecedented interference in the country's September elections. This was stated by the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, according to Ukrinform, citing Point.md.
“The russian federation wants to take control of the Republic of Moldova in the fall and is preparing an unprecedented interference in the September elections. the kremlin is investing in various political projects to get its people into parliament”, - Sandu emphasized after a meeting of the country’s Supreme Security Council.
According to her, russia, in particular, is financing political projects aimed at the moderately pro-European electorate but operating under a “false flag”. Behind the so-called independent candidates also stands russia. Although they are not directly managed by moscow, they are being used to create the illusion of “objective” criticism and to fill the information space.
Sandu also listed the instruments of interference used by russia: bribery of voters and illegal foreign financing, including through cryptocurrency; foreign campaigns of informational manipulation; organization of paid protests; cyberattacks on the digital infrastructure that ensures elections, as well as other critical infrastructure; the use of the church in the interests of another state; promotion through pseudo-opinion leaders and online influencers spreading anti-European messages; involvement of organized crime in destabilizing actions; sabotage of diaspora voting; hybrid actions towards voters from Gagauzia and Transnistria, as well as online mobilization and radicalization of society through the promotion of extremism and hatred.
The president emphasized that russia’s interference poses a serious threat to public order and national security, but most importantly — it may jeopardize the country’s sovereignty and its European future.