Commentary on Moldova’s Recent Presidential Elections and Regional Implications. Forum 2000 Bulletin, December 16, 2024
The recent presidential elections in Moldova serve as a significant turning point for the country’s democratic and geopolitical landscape. “These elections further exposed Moldova’s complex domestic landscape, which foreign powers can manipulate to exert influence in ways that challenge Moldova’s European aspirations,” writes Natalia Stercul, a member of the ICDR and program director of the Foreign Policy Association of the Republic of Moldova, in her commentary.
Natalia Stercul, Member of the ICDR, program director of the Foreign Policy Association of the Republic of Moldova
“While the elections did not see substantial international upheaval, their results highlight internal divides that foreign actors often exploit. Moldova, positioned within the EU’s Eastern Neighborhood, has long been vulnerable to outside interference, especially from Russia.
These elections further exposed Moldova’s complex domestic landscape, which foreign powers can manipulate to exert influence in ways that challenge Moldova’s European aspirations. Moldova’s regional positioning is a double-edged sword. On one side, the European Union offers incentives toward integration and economic support, yet on the other, Russia seeks to maintain its influence over the post-Soviet sphere, including Moldova’s autonomous region of Gagauzia, where Turkey’s presence is also growing.
Foreign influence in Moldova, therefore, is not limited to Russia but is also shaped by a web of competing interests. As Moldova navigates its path forward, the question remains: can it achieve a balance that strengthens its democratic resilience, or will these divides deepen under the pressure of competing foreign influences? This outcome is not only crucial for Moldova but serves as a broader test of Europe’s influence in supporting democratic governance across its Eastern frontier.”
