Moldova’s pro-European president celebrated a “historic milestone” after a high court acknowledged the results of a significant referendum held last month, setting the stage for the country to incorporate its aspiration to join the European Union into its constitution.
The “Yes” faction won by a slim margin of 50.35% in a vote heavily influenced by pro-EU Moldovans residing abroad, and it was marred by accusations of an extensive vote-buying scheme intended to boost the “No” vote.
“Moldova makes a historic advance as the Constitutional Court has determined today to integrate EU membership into our Constitution, reflecting the people’s will expressed in the recent referendum,” President Maia Sandu stated on X.
Positioned between Romania and Ukraine, this nation of under 3 million has oscillated between pro-western and pro-Russian sentiments since the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991 and a brief conflict with pro-Moscow separatists.
She is now facing a runoff this Sunday against former prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is supported by a party with a pro-Russian background.
Both the referendum and the election have faced allegations of interference, with Moldovan authorities accusing pro-Russian fugitive businessman Ilan Shor of orchestrating mass payments to voters.
Mr. Shor refutes the accusations, and Russia, where he resides, denies any involvement.
Nonetheless, Mr. Shor openly incentivized individuals to convince Moldovans to vote “no” in the referendum and to challenge Ms. Sandu in the elections.
He and the pro-Russian socialist party backing Mr. Stoianoglo have since called on their supporters to disregard the referendum’s outcome.
Moldova has intensified its pursuit of EU membership alongside Ukraine in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.
Formal accession discussions commenced in June.
Domnica Manole, chair of the constitutional court, stated yesterday that the constitutional amendments following the referendum “do not infringe upon the independence and sovereignty” of the country.
