The leader of the left-wing opposition in Moldova called on voters yesterday to boycott the referendum on support for the country's bid to join the European Union and said pro-European President Maja Sandu is using the plebiscite to make it easier for her to be re-elected, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
Sandu has condemned Russia's war in Ukraine and singled out Moscow and endemic corruption as the biggest threats to the sovereignty of the former Soviet republic, which sits between Ukraine and EU member Romania, which is one of Europe's poorest countries.
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Moldovan authorities have made EU membership a cornerstone of their policy and have scheduled a plebiscite, likely to be held in October at the same time as presidential elections.
„We are categorically against this referendum. We are not saying “no“ of the negotiations with the EU and we are not against the EU, said on the television "Exclusive TV". (Exclusiv TV) Igor Dodon, leader of the Socialist Party and former president of Moldova. In 2020, Dodon lost the election to Sandu.
„We are against Sandu using (the referendum as) a tool in favor of her interests and those of her party. Therefore, we call on the voters during the campaign not to participate in the referendum“.
Dodon, a chess grandmaster, maintains the close ties he built up with Moscow during his four years in power and says Sandu's focus on the EU is harming Moldova's interests in the region.
Polls have Sandu with 35.1% support in the first round if the election were held today, compared to 15.8% for Dodon.
According to the polls, 50.9% of respondents believe that EU membership would improve Moldova's economic prospects, while 30.4% believe the opposite.
In December, the EU agreed to open membership talks with both Moldova and Ukraine.
Sandu said yesterday during a meeting with small business owners that Moldovans will live better in the EU. “Joining the EU is the best we can give to this and future generations,” said the president.
Parliament Speaker Igor Grossu said the plebiscite is a chance for Moldovans to “show loud and clear that we are Europeans... We are not entering Europe, we are returning to it."
Last year voters in the cities demonstrated their support for the EU accession campaign by taking out a mass rally, but support outside the capital is less certain.
In the local elections in November "Party of Action and Solidarity" of Sandu was first with 40% of the votes, but failed to win mayoral seats in the big cities.
The current poll was preceded by measures to bar candidates linked to a banned pro-Russian party led by fugitive businessman Ilan Shor, who was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for fraud.