Moldovan EU membership referendum, October 2024

Summary:

Compilation of information resources relating to a nationwide referendum held in Moldova on whether the country should amends its Constitution to include the wish for European Union (EU) membership.

Further information:

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, neighbouring Moldova decided to submit an application for EU membership in March 2022. In December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova. At the end of 2023, the country's President Maia Sandy expressed the idea of a referendum on EU membership together with the announcement of her candidacy for a second term as head of state. In March 2024, Ms Sandu launched a campaign to promote the referendum. In the same month, Moldova's parliament endorsed a Resolution reaffirming the efforts to join the European Union. On 16 May, the parliament approved the holding of a referendum on amending the Constitution to include EU membership alongside a presidential election on 20 October 2024.

The campaign was marred by reports that Russia was attempting to interfere and destabilise the country throughout the process to secure a rejection to the proposed constitutional amendment. A number of pro-Russian parties formed an alliance to oppose EU membership and promote instead closer relations with Russia. Reports of vote bribery emerged as the referendum unfolded. The poll resulted in a tight victory for those supporting the amendment (50.4% against 49.6%).

Official

European Parliament: Press Release, 09/10/2024: Parliament condemns Russia’s interference in Moldova https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20241003IPR24421/

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE): Press Release, 21/10/2024: Moldova’s election and referendum well-managed and competitive, despite serious attempts to undermine its integrity, international observers say https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/578845

European Commission: Statement by the European Commission and High Representative Josep Borrell on the Presidential Election and the Constitutional Referendum in Moldova (21 October 2024) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_24_5405

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 22/10/2024: Republic of Moldova: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the constitutional referendum and the first round of the presidential elections https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/22/republic-of-moldova-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-constitutional-referendum-and-the-first-round-of-the-presidential-elections/

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News

EUObserver, 05/03/2024: Russia plotting to wreck EU referendum, Moldova says https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/ar6eb57745

France24, 07/03/2024: France pledges 'unwavering support' to Moldova amid threats of Russian destablisation https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240307-france-pledges-support-moldova-threats-russian-destablisation-macron

EurActiv, 19/03/2024: Moldovan president launches campaign to promote EU referendum https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/moldovan-president-launches-campaign-to-promote-eu-referendum/

EurActiv, 22/03/2024: Moldovan Parliament backs bid to join EU, but divisions remain https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/moldovan-parliament-backs-bid-to-join-eu-but-divisions-remain/

Euronews, 12/04/2024: EU candidate Moldova takes action to prevent Russian influence in referendum https://www.euronews.com/2024/04/12/eu-candidate-moldova-takes-action-to-prevent-russian-influence-in-referendum

Balkan Insight, 17/04/2024: Moldova Constitutional Court Green-lights EU Accession Referendum https://balkaninsight.com/2024/04/17/moldova-constitutional-court-green-lights-eu-accession-referendum/

Politico, 07/05/2024: Moldova fights to free itself from Russia’s AI-powered disinformation machine https://www.politico.eu/article/moldova-fights-free-from-russia-ai-power-disinformation-machine-maia-sandu/

Radio Moldova, 27/05/2024: Moldova's Historic EU Referendum: Citizens Shape Future https://radiomoldova.md/p/35140/moldova-s-historic-eu-referendum-citizens-shape-future

The Guardian, 13/06/2024: Russia trying to meddle in Moldovan polls, say UK, US and Canada https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/13/russia-trying-to-meddle-in-moldova-polls-say-uk-us-and-canada

Politico, 13/06/2024: Russia meddling in Moldova elections, Western allies allege https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-plot-meddle-moldova-election-uncovered-say-western-allies-maia-sandu-kremlin/

BBC News, 25/06/2024: Moldova takes difficult step on path to joining EU https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg330w2x7g3o

Balkan Insight, 24/09/2024: Moldova Bars Fugitive Oligarch Shor’s Party From EU Referendum https://balkaninsight.com/2024/09/24/moldova-bars-fugitive-oligarch-shors-party-from-eu-referendum/

EurActiv, 30/09/2024: Moldovan minister exposes vote-buying in EU referendum https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/moldovan-minister-exposes-vote-buying-in-eu-referendum/

Deutsche Welle, 19/10/2024: Russia reportedly meddling in Moldova referendum https://p.dw.com/p/4lvUs

Radio Free Europe, 20/10/2024: 'To Live Like In Europe': Moldovans Vote In Constitutional Referendum https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-eu-referendum-voters/33165642.html

Le Monde, 20/10/2024: Moldova votes to confirm or reject its European path https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/10/20/moldova-votes-to-confirm-or-reject-its-european-path_6729911_4.html

ERR News, 20/10/2024: ERR in Moldova: Russia has tried to influence elections, EU referendum https://news.err.ee/1609497592/err-in-moldova-russia-has-tried-to-influence-elections-eu-referendum

The Guardian, 21/10/2024: Moldova president condemns ‘assault’ on democracy by ‘foreign forces’ as EU vote hangs in balance https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/21/moldova-election-maia-sandu

Politico, 21/10/2024: Moldova votes yes to joining EU by tiny margin https://www.politico.eu/article/moldova-votes-yes-join-european-union/

Reuters, 21/10/2024: Moldova's Sandu secures knife-edge EU vote win after 'unfair fight' https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovas-eu-referendum-goes-wire-after-sandu-decries-vote-meddling-2024-10-21/

France24, 21/10/2024: Moldova voters narrowly approve referendum on joining the EU https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241021-moldova-s-eu-referendum-result-is-on-a-knife-edge-with-nearly-all-votes-counted

Politico, 21/10/2024: Moldova’s EU dream hangs in balance as referendum result narrows https://www.politico.eu/article/moldovas-eu-referendum-electoral-commission-voters-eastern-europe-nation-ballot/

Euronews, 21/10/2024: Moldova votes yes to EU membership as president Sandu claims Moscow meddled https://www.euronews.com/2024/10/21/moldova-eu-vote-too-close-to-call-as-president-sandu-claims-moscow-meddled

Deutsche Welle, 21/10/2024: Moldova narrowly votes 'yes' to EU membership https://p.dw.com/p/4lzov

RFI News, 21/10/2024: Moldova's vote on EU membership in deadlock as president cites 'foreign interference' https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20241021-moldova-s-vote-on-eu-membership-in-deadlock-as-president-cites-foreign-interference

Le Monde, 21/10/2024: Moldova president says 'won justly in unjust struggle' in EU referendum https://www.lemonde.fr/en/europe/article/2024/10/21/moldova-president-says-won-justly-in-unjust-struggle-in-eu-referendum_6730015_143.html

Reuters, 21/10/2024: Moldova's Sandu decries 'unprecedented' meddling as EU referendum goes to wire https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldova-votes-election-eu-referendum-shadow-alleged-russian-meddling-2024-10-20/

LRT News, 21/10/2024: Lithuanian FM calls to investigate alleged Russian interference in Moldovan referendum https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2391791/lithuanian-fm-calls-to-investigate-alleged-russian-interference-in-moldovan-referendum

Euronews, 21/10/2024: Moldova president alleges vote-buying tainted EU referendum results https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/10/21/moldovas-president-alleges-vote-buying-tainted-eu-referendum-results

RTÉ News, 21/10/2024: EU says Moldova vote took place under 'unprecedented interference' by Russia https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2024/1021/1476575-moldova/

BBC News, 21/10/2024: Moldova says 'Yes' to pro-EU constitutional changes by tiny margin https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1wnr5qdxe7o

The Brussels Times, 22/10/2024: EU welcomes 'Yes' vote at Moldova's referendum on European integration https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/1280750/eu-welcomes-yes-vote-at-moldovas-referendum-on-european-integration

ERR News, 22/10/2024: ESTDEV: Moldova's referendum shows there is still a lot of explaining to do https://news.err.ee/1609498915/estdev-moldova-s-referendum-shows-there-is-still-a-lot-of-explaining-to-do

Romania Insider, 22/10/2024: Moldova's pro-EU authorities survive constitutional referendum https://www.romania-insider.com/moldova-pro-eu-survives-referendum-october-2024

Associated Press (AP News), 22/10/2024: Moldova narrowly votes to secure path toward EU membership after accusing Russia of interference https://apnews.com/article/moldova-elections-eu-referendum-russia-325cb2c13beb1d76565a6e2aadef971a

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Commentary and Analysis

Balkan Insight: Analysis, 07/03/2024: Referendum on Moldova’s EU Accession: Opportunity or Political Tactic? https://balkaninsight.com/2024/03/07/referendum-on-moldovas-eu-accession-opportunity-or-political-tactic/

German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS): Insights, 14/03/2024: Moldova must bolster its electoral integrity ahead of this year’s presidential election https://www.gmfus.org/news/moldova-must-bolster-its-electoral-integrity-ahead-years-presidential-election

Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House): Explainer, 05/04/2024: Is Moldova a new battleground in Russia’s war? https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/03/moldova-new-battleground-russias-war

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Russia Eurasia Center: Commentary, 22/05/2024: Will Gagauzia Become Moldova’s Second Breakaway Region? https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2024/05/gagauzia-moldova-putin-shor?lang=en

Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI): Commentary, 06/06/2024: Three crucial elections on Moldova’s European path https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/three-crucial-elections-on-moldovas-european-path-176411

Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW): Analyses, 07/06/2024: Moldova ahead of the elections: mobilisation of the pro-Russian opposition https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2024-06-07/moldova-ahead-elections-mobilisation-pro-russian-opposition

EUObserver: Opinion, 24/06/2024: EU needs to help Moldova fight Russian disinfo attacks https://euobserver.com/eu-political/arddf59232

German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS): Insights, 26/06/2024: What does the launch of EU accession talks mean for Moldova? https://www.gmfus.org/news/what-does-launch-eu-accession-talks-mean-moldova

German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS): Insights, 13/09/2024: What would a failed EU referendum mean for Moldova? https://www.gmfus.org/news/what-would-failed-eu-referendum-mean-moldova

EUvsDisinfo, 18/09/2024: Kremlin disinformation on Moldova’s referendum https://euvsdisinfo.eu/kremlin-disinformation-on-moldovas-referendum/

German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS): Insights, 19/09/2024: Republic of Moldova 2024 Presidential Election and EU Referendum: Pre-election Risk Assessment https://www.gmfus.org/news/republic-moldova-2024-presidential-election-and-eu-referendum-pre-election-risk-assessment

EUObserver: Opinion, 30/09/2024: Moldova's EU referendum is facing Russian destabilisation https://euobserver.com/eu-and-the-world/arb9f6f25f

Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA): Insight & Analysis, 09/10/2024: Moldova — Time to Choose Moscow or Brussels https://cepa.org/article/moldova-time-to-choose-moscow-or-brussels/

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP): Feature, 15/10/2024: A Russian Non-Profit Interferes in Moldova’s EU Referendum — And Builds an Anti-Western Influence Machine https://www.occrp.org/en/feature/a-russian-non-profit-interferes-in-moldovas-eu-referendum-and-builds-an-anti-western-influence-machine

Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS): Spotlight, 16/10/2024: What is at Stake in Moldova’s Presidential Election and EU Referendum https://www.zois-berlin.de/en/publications/zois-spotlight/what-is-at-stake-in-moldovas-presidential-election-and-eu-referendum

German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP): Memo No 21, 16/10/2024: Moldova’s Presidential Elections and EU Referendum: A Critical Moment https://dgap.org/en/research/publications/moldovas-presidential-elections-and-eu-referendum-critical-moment

European Policy Centre (EPC): Commentary, 17/10/2024: Moldova's election and referendum – what’s at stake? https://www.epc.eu/en/publications/Moldovas-election-and-referendum-whats-at-stake~5e8f08

France24, 21/10/2024: Moldova’s president bet big on the EU referendum. It may cost her dearly https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241021-moldova-president-bet-big-eu-referendum-it-may-cost-her-dearly-maia-sandu

TVP World: Analysis, 21/10/2024: EU referendum confirms Moldova's vulnerabilities https://tvpworld.com/83080123/eu-referendum-confirms-moldovas-vulnerabilities

Wilson Center: Global Europe Program: Article, 22/10/2024: What Moldova's Narrow EU Referendum Results Mean for Its European Future https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/what-moldovas-narrow-eu-referendum-results-mean-its-european-future

The Guardian: Opinion, 23/10/2024: In Moldova, we held our EU referendum in Russia’s shadow. The result was too close for comfort https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/23/moldova-eu-referendum-russia-brexit-europe

The New Statesman, 23/10/2024: Moldova’s referendum result is a disaster for the EU https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2024/10/moldova-referendum-result-disaster-for-eu-ukraine

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Inernational Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): Election Snapshot: Elections in Moldova: 2024 Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum https://www.ifes.org/tools-resources/election-snapshots/elections-moldova-2024-presidential-election-and-constitutional

Wikipedia: 2024 Moldovan European Union membership referendum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Moldovan_European_Union_membership_referendum

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