The crowd filing through central Chisinau waving EU flags on Friday evening was clear: they believe Russia is trying to steal their election and bring pro-Kremlin politicians to power in Moldova.
Their weapon is money, your weapon is your vote!, was the loudest chant as several hundred supporters of the governing party, PAS, and its pro-European policies joined the final rally before Sunday's ballot.
This week Moldovan police and prosecutors disclosed evidence of election interference on an unprecedented scale: vote-buying and disinformation that they link directly to Russia. They've also uncovered a plot to foment violent unrest, detaining dozens of men who travelled to Serbia for training including in the use of firearms.
Opposition parties dismiss talk of Russian meddling as a political show claiming the government is laying the ground to annul the vote should PAS lose its majority in parliament.
But Moldova took a decisive turn towards EU membership and away from Moscow after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now the evidence suggests Russia has been investing heavily in restoring its influence.
It's trying to claw back control.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean sees these elections as a final battle for his country. He warns of constant pressure from Russia, claiming they're spending the equivalent of more than 1% of Moldova's GDP on propaganda and false messages.
Reports indicate that Russia's efforts are more sophisticated, utilizing cryptocurrency instead of traditional methods of bribery. The potential for unrest looms as police identify threats associated with armed groups allegedly training for violence.
The stakes are high for Moldovans, who are wrestling with economic hardships while navigating a political landscape fraught with outside influence. Whether they endorse pro-European aspirations or revert to pro-Russian affiliations remains a crucial question as the voting day approaches.
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