Statement by the European Commission and High Representative Josep Borrell on the Presidential Election and the Constitutional Referendum in Moldova

The first round of the presidential election and a constitutional referendum on EU accession were held in the Republic of Moldova on 20 October.

According to the preliminary findings and conclusions of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) International Election Observation Mission, both voting processes were well-managed. Contestants campaigned freely in an environment characterised by concerns over illicit foreign interference and active disinformation efforts.

Law enforcement authorities, many international actors and civil society have proclaimed that Moldova is the target of an ongoing ‘hybrid war' directed from abroad that include various forms of manipulative interference to destabilise the country, illicit financing of political actors, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks, according to the report published by the European Parliament, ODIHR/OSCE, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. 

Russia and its proxies actively tried to undermine the democratic and voting process in Moldova. We commend the Moldovan authorities for successfully organising the election and constitutional referendum, nevertheless.

We welcome the results of the constitutional referendum, in which the Moldovan people have expressed their desire to anchor their future in the EU. 

The EU will closely follow developments during the second round of the presidential election on 3 November and in the run up to the parliamentary elections in 2025.

We are committed to continue supporting Moldova's democratic development, reforms and economic growth, as well as strengthening Moldova's resilience, in particular on its path towards the European Union. The EU and Moldova share a common future.