Hybrid attacks and disinformation in electoral campaign under parliament's spotlight

The dangers posed by disinformation and hybrid attacks, noted in the electoral campaigns of 2024 and 2025 persist, and the authorities need to conduct a thorough analysis of the situation to propose solutions to counteract them and enhance resilience. Speaker Igor Grosu made the statement at Moldova1 TV channel. He said he will propose initiating debates on this matter on the parliamentary platform, with the participation of representatives from various institutions.


“The lesson we learned in the fall of 2024 remains valid even after the parliamentary elections on September 28. We do not underestimate the dangers; they persist. What should follow? I will come forward with this initiative. The Central Electoral Commission is to make a report on the parliamentary electoral campaign. I will propose having debates on the parliamentary platform,” Grosu said.


He emphasized that representatives from several institutions, including the National Anticorruption Center, General Police Inspectorate, Superior Council of Magistracy, Superior Council of Prosecutors, the Intelligence and Security Service, civil society and media will be invited to the debates. The participants are expected to analyze the situation from the electoral campaign, the risks, and the identified gaps, so solutions can be proposed to eliminate them.


“This report presentation will be followed by inviting the National Anticorruption Center, General Police Inspectorate, Superior Council of Magistracy, Superior Council of Prosecutors, Intelligence and Security Service, all parliamentarians, civil society and media, especially those who conducted very good investigations, to say what went well, what didn’t. Clearly, it was a better organized campaign in terms of counteracting and discouraging. The big difference was made by the prosecution system and justice. Those who, I regret to say, were quite absent last time. This time it worked across the entire chain, not just the police, the National Anticorruption Center, the Security Service worked. The Border Police made their very important contribution, as did the prosecution and the courts. So, we need to evaluate once more how the campaign went, what worked, what didn’t,” affirmed the speaker.


Igor Grosu also referred to the Constitutional Court's decision to validate the election results, mentioning that the High Court came with a recommendation to the Parliament regarding the regulation of social media networks.

Additionally, he stressed the need to regulate the electronic currency payments and establish clear rules for the use of the financial instruments.


“A conclusion Mr. Munteanu vocalized concerns payments in electronic currency. It was a subject that, if 2 - 3 years ago we somewhat neglected, now, we have understood this and the National Bank is already working. It's more correct to set rules whereby those using such financial instruments legitimize themselves and thereby establish rules for reporting, transparency, security, ensuring these payments do not come from less legitimate jurisdictions. We must sit down, regulate, and provide a clear response. As 2027 isn't that far away, and 2028 is approaching,” emphasized Grosu.


On September 28, parliamentary elections were organized in the Republic of Moldova. In this context, the top leadership of the country denounced foreign interference attempts and large disinformation campaigns. 

Head of state Maia Sandu recently announced her intention to convene, after the formation of the new government, extensive discussions with representatives of the press, civil society, and political parties to develop a common plan to fight disinformation and informational manipulation.