Political situation in Moldova

"Could be the most corrupt election in Europe in many years"

Russia is at the center when Moldova goes to the polls today to partly elect a president and partly to vote yes or no to trying to become an EU member. The mood in the country is tense, according to SVT's European correspondent Christoffer Wendick.

Wendick describes how people are alert and prepared for something to happen. This in the wake of Moldovan police discovering a large-scale attempt to buy no votes in the referendum.

- This could be the dirtiest and most corrupt election in Europe in many years, he says to his own channel.

SR's correspondent Johanna Melén also addresses the extensive attempts by Russia – and pro-Moscow forces – to buy voters.

- Moldova is a poor country where there is soil for that type of irregularities, she tells SR Ekot.

According to Melén, many Moldovans see the election as historic, as many believe that the country has never before been so close to "going west" and leaving the Russian sphere.

....................................

Moldova in an important choice of path between the EU and Russia

When Moldova goes to the polls today, there is a clear choice on the ballot paper: Russia or Europe.

The Western-oriented president Maia Sandu, who during her mandate cut ties with Russia and applied to join the EU, is running for re-election, writes AFP. She is pitted against ten opponents, including the 45-year-old former mayor Renato Usatii.

However, Sandu does not appear to get the 50 percent needed to win, so a second round is expected on November 3, according to the opinion polls.

In addition to the presidential election, a referendum is also underway in which the voters must answer "yes" or "no" to whether the goal of EU membership should be written into the constitution.

The polling stations opened at 6 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m., Swedish time.