The outcome of the upcoming elections cannot be easily predicted: polls indicate a tight race between the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) of President Maia Sandu and pro-Russian forces. That is why the fight is being waged for every vote - activists of both parties are talking to people on the streets and handing out campaign materials.
One of them is Cristian, a PSA supporter. "I hope that our country will decide to become part of the EU - as a democratic state that respects human rights. People must take responsibility for their votes, as they decide what our future and the future of the next generations will be," he told DW. For him, there is no doubt that this future must be in the EU. “With the EU, wages will increase. The community will help us become more independent and implement various projects, such as digitalization.“
Vitale, who is from the opposing camp - from the party of the controversial businessman Renato Usaty “Our Party“ - believes that the path to the EU is wrong. “Over the past four years, our country has become very poor. The so-called European dream is a big lie. The EU will not be ready to accept Moldova - regardless of whether in two, three, four or ten years. We must look carefully and not believe the European lies.“
Television and TikTok
Christian, Vitale and their colleagues talk to hundreds of people every day to convince them of their positions. Party commercials are running on TV, politicians are trying to win over young voters on TikTok. Just before the elections, there is no shortage of words about their importance, with President Sandu calling them the most important elections in the country's history.
EU or Russia, West or East - for many Moldovans, this is the most important question now. Just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the small country applied for EU membership and was granted candidate status a little later. The current government's goal is to join the Community by 2030 - a source of discontent for Russia, which has long sought to bring the country under its economic and political influence. This is also evident in the political slogans on buildings in Chisinau - "Russians out of Moldova" is written on one of the walls, below which someone has added in small red letters “Sandu is a sheep“.
While many have already found the answer for themselves, 26-year-old Alina sees things differently. “We are lost, regardless of the outcome of the elections.“ The young woman fears that the EU will turn away from Moldova if pro-Russian parties gain the upper hand in parliament, and that then Community funding could stop. But the possible success of the pro-European party also worries Alina - and in particular, Russia's reaction. “Chisinau is small, and Moldova as a whole is not big - it doesn't need a huge army to take over our country.“
War with the neighbors
The border with Ukraine is only 50 km from Chisinau. Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, more than 1.3 million Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Moldova. About 100,000 have remained, which is a serious economic burden for the country with a population of 2.4 million.
But the war in Ukraine is also a psychological burden - drones constantly fly over Moldova. "The war is felt," 22-year-old saleswoman Michelle told DW. "We feel the pressure. In the meantime, not so much anymore - probably because we are just used to it."
Many fear that Moldova could also end up at war with Russia. And now there are about 1,500 Russian soldiers in the country - in Transnistria. The breakaway region is a kind of state within a state - with its own army, currency and government, and completely dependent on Russia economically and militarily. In the past, the separatists have demanded that the region be annexed to the Russian Federation.
The current Moldovan government of the Party of Action and Solidarity has consistently stressed its solidarity with Ukraine - unlike the pro-Russian "Patriotic Bloc", which is in second place in recent polls. "Our emblem is neutrality. The Republic of Moldova should be a bridge between East and West, not a battlefield", the "Patriotic Bloc" says, stoking fears of a possible Russian invasion in the event of further rapprochement with the EU.
These fears are also spreading online. Anastasia Nani from the Center for Independent Journalism - an organization that closely monitors social media - says that there is a huge Russian influence. One of the most common narratives there is "NATO and Ukraine want to drag us into war and our men will have to go to the front", explains Nani. Doubts are also spreading about the legitimacy of the elections - in this way Russia wants to undermine the trust of the Moldovan population in voting in general and in the rule of law.
Food and housing have become more expensive
However, the leading theme of the election campaign is not only the war, but also inflation. Alina says: "Yesterday I bought a few tomatoes and a loaf of bread for 70 Moldovan lei (3.50 euros) - "This is simply shameless."
After Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022, inflation in Moldova reached 29 percent. It has since fallen, but in August it was still well above the European average of 7.3 percent.
"I don't spend much and I'm very careful with my money," says Michel. "I don't go on vacation, I hardly buy clothes, only what I really need - food, household items, and so on."
All social classes are affected by the rise in prices, but the poor, such as pensioners, are particularly affected. Meanwhile, almost a third of Moldovans live below the poverty line, especially in rural areas.
This year, housing prices have also increased significantly. The rent for a one-room apartment in Chisinau often reaches 500 euros - with an average monthly salary of around 800 euros.
“I am 26 and would love to buy a home in the future. But how? The prices are too high“, notes Alina. Her hope and the hope of most Moldovans is clear: an end to the price spiral. Sunday will reveal which political party Moldovans rely on more in this regard.
Authors: Astrid Benjolken | Tobias Zutmann