Head of state says Moldova's future must be decided by citizens, not money, propaganda

The future of Moldova should be decided by Moldovans, not by the money and propaganda of the Kremlin. We all have the duty to keep Moldova peaceful, free, and ensure its prosperous future in the large European family. President Maia Sandu has conveyed a message to this effect. She warned today, after the Supreme Security Council (CSS) meeting, that "the Russian Federation wants to control  Moldova as of the next autumn and is preparing an unprecedented interference with the September elections."

"Dear citizens, an important message after the Supreme Security Council: The Russian Federation wants to control Moldova as of the next autumn and is preparing an unprecedented interference in the September elections. The Kremlin is investing in more political vehicles, various candidates and parties, in electoral corruption and information manipulation campaigns, organizing paid protests and cyberattacks, using the church as a tool and utilizing online platforms to spread extremism and hate. It also plans to involve the organized crime network for destabilizations, sabotaging the electoral process in the Diaspora and hybrid influences in Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (UTAG) and the left bank of the Dniester," Maia Sandu wrote.

The head of state noted that "a complicated period awaits us, but this should not frighten us, but mobilize us". In the context, the president urged citizens to be vigilant and not be used by crime rings.

"Let's be vigilant, not be used by crime rings, not sell our vote and not provide personal data to be used in vote-buying schemes, not spread falsehoods, get information from reliable sources, not get involved in violent actions," the Moldovan president emphasized.

Maia Sandu also said that "the future of Moldova should be decided by Moldovans, not by the money and propaganda of the Kremlin". "We all have the duty to keep Moldova peaceful, free and ensure its prosperous future in the large European family," concluded the president.

The head of state, Maia Sandu, today morning convened a meeting of the Supreme Security Council, continuing efforts to strengthen the integrity and security of the electoral process. During the meeting, national institutions presented evaluations of the Russian Federation's plans to interfere with this year's elections, aiming to undermine democracy and deviate the European path of Moldova. Similarly, the CSS identified at least 10 main instruments of interference with the electoral process.