Moldovan politicians are cunning and use Russia in the presidential elections
During the presidential elections in Moldova, strong anti-Russian sentiments are of great importance. Andrey Suzdaltsev, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Relations at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, stated this at a press conference in Moscow.
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“It’s confusing that the elections are geopolitical in nature. It's presented as a choice of East and West. It is discussed what European integration has given and what Russia has given. And the anti-Russian vector is colossal. At the same time, Russia does not participate in the elections, but we are being used passively. Either as a source of problems, or as a source of support. In the second round, these trends will become the main trend,” Suzdaltsev said.
The expert noted that Moldova is in association with the European Union, and its ability to rebuild its policy is limited.
“Moldova applies all EU sanctions to Russia and is under anti-sanctions. In recent years, Chisinau has been demanding the return of Moldovan goods to our market, but has not given any reciprocal obligations. At the same time, the products supplied by Moldova are now going through Belarus in a smuggled format,” Suzdaltsev said.
He does not have 100% confidence in the victory of the conditionally pro-Russian candidate Igor Dodon.
“The results of the first round are surprising, because before the elections Maya was almost two times behind Dodon. The gap has decreased by one and a half times. This is alarming. The result is not very clear. Maya has reserves, and now all efforts will be devoted to raising these reserves. Most likely, they will go neck and neck,” Suzdaltsev said.
Direct presidential elections in Moldova took place on October 30. To win in the first round, a candidate needed to get 50% plus one vote, but no one was able to overcome this barrier. According to the CEC, the leader of the Party of Socialists Igor Dodon, who scored 48,3%, and the head of the Action and Solidarity party Maia Sandu (38,4%) are advancing to the second round.
Moldovan politicians are using Russia to their advantage in the presidential elections.