Nestled in-between Romania and war-torn Ukraine lies Moldova - a small country facing big challenges. It is not only known for the 2003 one-hit wonder “Dragostea Din Tei”, but also because it unfortunately holds the title of being the poorest country in Europe. With a population of 2.5 million citizens, it gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Russia’s influence persists.
Russian propaganda has hindered Moldova’s path towards democracy and freedom. Nonetheless, the Moldovan population has shown great strength in its continued resistance towards the Putin regime. It is clear among its people that there is an overwhelming wish to work towards a pro-European, liberal democratic future. Yet, in the Freedom of the World Index, a report on civil liberties and political rights by the non-governmental organisation Freedom House, Moldova scores just 60.
Moldova is deemed a “partly free” country, but on the ground this feels like a stretch. For instance, on the question: “does the government operate with openness and transparency?” Moldova scored just a point. High-ranking politicians with corruption cases put the country’s democracy under continued pressure, but the Presidency of Maia Sandu has marked a turning point.
The power of every single vote
Sandu founded the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity in 2015, becoming President five years later and achieving re-election last year. The party supports a pro-European approach and aims to strengthen Moldova’s democracy from the malign influence of Russia. However, not everyone agrees: the last election was won with 50.2% of the vote and the second-largest party is the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova, which is known for its pro-Russian stance.
The opposition is led by former President Igor Dodon, who in 2022 was arrested for corruption and taking bribes from oligarchs. Sandu, in contrast, has indicated that the integration with the European Union is one of her top priorities. Moldova has been an official candidate for EU membership since 2022 and is an observer member of the centre-right European People’s Party.
Sandu has received praise by some for this bold stance in favour of integration, but it is one of the most divisive policies in Moldova. The 20th of October 2024 was a historic day for Moldova, when the country held a constitutional referendum on “amending the constitution with a view to Moldova’s accession to the EU”. The results were, as usual in Moldova, extremely close. 50.2% of voters voted in favor, the exact same margin Sandu was elected by the following year.
Judicial independence means that courts and judges are free from influence and pressure from other branches of the government. One of the questions in the Freedom of the World Index is: “Is there an independent judiciary?” Again, Moldova scores one point. In 2025, only 30% of the population indicated they trust the law and justice system - one of the few things most agree on. Judicial independence ensures fair trials, protection of citizen rights, and upholding of the law. Yet, corruption and a lack of transparency still linger around the country.
Corruption scandals and transparency issues
Moldova ranks in 80th place in the Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International. Decisions are often made based on connections and who possesses wealth. Vitali Pirlog, the former Justice Minister of Moldova, was arrested in July 2025 for allegedly lifting arrest warrants in exchange for bribes. He is also accused of giving criminals asylum status in Moldova to lift their arrest warrant.
Prilog is an example of a high-ranking person in Moldovan politics who misused his power for his own benefit, but there are many more people just like him. Like many other post-Soviet countries, Moldova lies in the shadows of Russia, with a constant fear of Russian interference. Moscow already has one foot inside the small country, threatening its path towards democracy. Through spreading disinformation and buying votes, Russia tried as hard as they could to leave a mark on the recent elections.
Russian propaganda is everywhere
On TikTok, 1,347 propaganda accounts shared disinformation and pro-Russian content. The Russian Martryoshka Operation is a coordinated campaign that aims to spread content of this nature online. Through the use of AI, it impersonates public figures and online media platforms such as BBC and The Economist in order to spread fake news. The goal is to sway voters into voting for parties other than PAS and their pro-European approach.
Their content is often in English, since their target group is the Moldovan diaspora, a strong point for the governing party up to now. It even went as far as setting up a party in 2024, Victory Bloc, through the oligarch-turned-politician Ilan Shor. Victory Bloc is not just a traditional pro-Russian party, but it aims at incorporating Moldova into the Russian Federation. Shor has previously stated that there is no point in Moldova being an independent country.
Shor currently lives in Russia, due to being convicted in Moldova for embezzling nearly one billion dollars from Moldovan banks. However, this was less successful than other attempts from the Kremlin and won no seats. In order to combat Russian influence, the Moldovan Government founded the Centre for Strategic Communication and Countering Disinformation. Their aim is to battle disinformation and false political narratives.
Moldovans are fighting back
Government institutions have to train their staff in rapidly identifying and analysing false information. Since it achieved its independence, Moldova has been through a lot. Russian propaganda is everywhere and it is one of the greatest obstacles the country is facing. Moldova may not be on the verge of being reintegrated into the Russian Federation, but its democracy is just as fragile and threatened as Ukraine and Georgia’s.
Nonetheless, the Moldova people have shown that they are ready to take up the fight for a strong, democratic and pro-European future. Election results are close and the scales are balanced against the pro-democracy side, but the people of Moldova continue to maintain their hope. A day will come when their democracy is no longer under pressure.
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