In brief
With a pivotal referendum on EU membership looming, Moldova's capital has witnessed a surge in anti-EU propaganda, raising alarms over potential Russian interference in its democratic processes.
Moldova's police chief, appointed by a government striving to align with the European Union and distancing itself from Russian influence, expressed concerns over a sudden influx of posters in Chisinau that bear a stark message against EU membership. These posters, written in both Russian and Romanian, appeared throughout the city seemingly linked to a concert by a well-known Russian-speaking artist from Ukraine. However, the timing coincided suspiciously with Moldova's preparations for a divisive referendum aimed at reinforcing its commitment to a European trajectory.As the nation gears up for a crucial vote on Sunday, police chief Viorel Cernauteanu has stated these posters are not innocuous but part of a larger “psychological operation” orchestrated by Russia. This operation aims to undermine the upcoming referendum while a presidential election takes place concurrently, highlighting the strategic stakes involved in Moldova's geopolitical stance.
