On August 15, 2025, Moldovan President Maia Sandu warned that the country’s diaspora is experiencing “unprecedented” pressure from hostile forces ahead of the parliamentary elections. Speaking at the Congress of the Moldovan diaspora, Sandu highlighted attempts to bribe voters abroad and the surge of fake social media accounts spreading anti-European messages and undermining Moldova’s reforms.
Coordinated influence campaigns target overseas voters
Sandu emphasized that external actors are stepping up their efforts to manipulate the diaspora. “We have information about attempts to bribe voters abroad. We are also witnessing a significant rise in fake accounts among the Moldovan diaspora, participating in a coordinated influence campaign promoting anti-European slogans and messages directed against the reforms and policies implemented in recent years, as well as against Moldova itself,” she said. She cautioned that these phenomena are likely to intensify in the coming weeks and urged citizens abroad to remain vigilant, united, and committed to defending the country’s sovereignty, democracy, and European choice.
Diaspora plays a strategic role in safeguarding democracy
The Moldovan diaspora represents a key electoral and strategic ally for Sandu’s party, with strong support that could be decisive for the 2025 parliamentary elections. Sandu noted that opponents aim to undermine this influence by denying diaspora voters a voice and severing their connection to Moldova. She stated, “Those who do not wish us well consider the diaspora a mass of people to be stripped of voting rights, manipulable, with ties to Moldova that should be broken.”
Regional and international implications
Sandu has previously warned that Russia plans unprecedented interference in the elections, including disinformation campaigns, paid protests, and sabotage of diaspora voting. Moldova’s situation underscores the country’s exposure to hybrid threats jeopardizing its sovereignty. The European Union supports election integrity through sanctions, monitoring, and observation missions, recognizing attacks on Moldova’s electoral process as a regional security concern. Ukraine, a strategic partner, provides cyber defense technologies and information support to strengthen diaspora resilience against disinformation.
Moldova maintains its European course despite external threats
Despite significant external pressures, Moldova continues its integration path with the EU. Protecting democratic values and ensuring transparent elections remain central to countering manipulation and safeguarding the country’s European trajectory.
