“These are the same tactics we have warned about — voter suppression,” said one official after the evacuation.
Voting has resumed at the embassy following an all-clear from authorities.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s pro-EU government has repeatedly warned that Russia seeks to influence the parliamentary election and hinder the country’s EU membership efforts. The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity aims to join the EU by 2030.
In a recent POLITICO interview, Moldova’s National Security Adviser Stanislav Secrieru warned that Moscow might intimidate diaspora voters, most of whom favor EU membership.
He noted the vote could see “possible disruptions similar to those in previous elections — like fake bomb threats at European polling stations — or staged protests abroad to create false dissatisfaction.”
Preliminary election results are expected later on Sunday. Officials have continuously raised concerns about widespread disinformation and voter bribery, tactics also used against Sandu in last year’s presidential election.
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