President convened Supreme Security Council meeting

The Presidency of the Republic of Moldova

Today President Maia Sandu convened a meeting of the Supreme Security Council (CSS) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the integrity and security of the electoral process. During the meeting, national institutions presented assessments of the Russian Federation's plans to interfere in this year's elections, aiming to undermine democracy and divert the European path of the Republic of Moldova.

The CSS also identified at least 10 main tools of interference in the electoral process:

Electoral bribery and illegal funding from external sources, including through cryptocurrencies, money laundering and microloans. Funding via cryptocurrencies alone is planned about 100 million euros.
Information manipulation campaigns, through lies, deepfake content, emails, letters, and fake documents aimed at undermining public trust in state institutions, and false information promoted both locally and internationally, intended to spread fear, distrust, and hatred. Such campaigns also involve smear campaigns and personal attacks, including the fabrication of defamatory materials against pro-European leaders, journalists and other public figures.
Organization of paid protests, with participants mobilized in exchange for financial rewards to artificially create the impression of widespread social discontent. According to legal provisions, participation in protest actions in exchange for remuneration constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to 7500 lei, accordingly.
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, including systems that ensure the proper conduct of elections and those that provide essential services to citizens.
Instrumentation of the church, through involvement of Kremlin-affiliated foundations and paid clergy to manipulate public opinion.
Use of online platforms, among which Telegram, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, to spread anti-EU and anti-democratic messages from outside the country.
Involvement of organized crime in destabilization actions involves engaging underworld representatives in organizing destabilization actions in penitentiary institutions and outside them.
Sabotaging the electoral process in the diaspora through actions to compromise and reduce citizens' participation in the vote.
Hybrid influences concerning the UTAG electorate and the left bank of the Dniester - actions to radicalize Chișinău-Comrat relationship, possible provocations in the Security Zone, demonstrations of force, energy crises on the eve of election day.
Online mobilization and radicalization of citizens, via influencers who incite extremism, violence, and civil disobedience.

State institutions are working in an alert and coordinated manner to prevent these interference and destabilization attempts. The objective of these actions is for citizens' decisions to be freely expressed at the polls, without any influence from outside the country.

In conclusion, the head of state addressed an appeal to the citizens: “Dear citizens, we are facing a complicated period. We will be subjected to well-organized external interference, with immense financial resources and criminal groups involved. This should not frighten us but mobilize us. We must remain vigilant. Our institutions have an important duty and they know what to do. But citizens also have a great responsibility. The future of the Republic of Moldova depends on each of us, on the information we consume, on the actions we take, on what we believe, and how we make decisions. And all of us who are connected to Moldova and love Moldova want a European future for Moldova, in peace and prosperity here at home.”, declared President Maia Sandu.

The press conference after the CSS meeting can be watched HERE.