Moldova at crossroads, elections and referendum on EU to begin

(ANSA-AFP) - CHISINAU, 20 OTT - Voters in Moldova began casting their ballots this morning for presidential elections and a referendum on EU membership, amid fears of Russian meddling in the two key election tests amid the war in neighboring Ukraine. The elections are the decisive test of the former Soviet republic's pro-European turn under the leadership of incumbent President Maia Sandu, who is seeking a second term in the country of 2. 6 million. Police have made hundreds of arrests after uncovering a massive vote-buying scheme, warning this week that up to a quarter of the votes cast may have been influenced by Russian money. "Our country is at a crossroads ...
    A group of thieves is trying to deceive people, promise them money, provide them with false information," said Prime Minister Dorin Recean, urging Moldovans "to be vigilant." Sandu, who beat a Moscow-backed incumbent president in 2020, has cut ties with Russia and called for Moldova's accession to the EU following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The president has repeatedly sounded the alarm about Russian attempts to interfere in the vote-a claim Moscow has rejected. (ANSA-AFP).