Zakharova said in a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website: “Parliamentary elections will be held in the Republic of Moldova on September 28,” noting that “the previous election campaign, according to the Moldovans themselves, was the most anti-democratic in the 34 years of the republic’s independence.” Zakharova added: “Moscow hopes that the results will objectively reflect the true will of the country’s residents.” The elections are scheduled for September 28. The authorities of the republic have resorted to repressive measures against any opposition. In addition to Gagauzia Gotsul, the head of the region, criminal cases have been filed against a number of opposition politicians, and members of parliament are being detained at Chisinau airport due to their visit to Russia. Moreover, Chisinau seeks to ban protests 30 days before and after the elections. To prevent candidates from registering without giving reasons and thus preventing them from participating in the elections, the ruling party proposed expanding measures under the pretext of “fighting electoral corruption.” The list of banned sources includes “Sputnik Moldova” and the “Telegram” channel, as well as sites “Komsomolskaya Pravda,” “Argumenty i Fakty,” “Moskovsky Komsomolets,” “Rossiyskaya Gazeta,” “Regnum Agency,” “Lenta.ru,” and “Pravda.ru,” in addition to Moldovan television sites “Horizont TV,” “Prime TV,” “Primul,” “Publika TV,” Channel 2, Channel 3, and others. More than 100 Telegram channels were also banned in the fall of 2024.
