Moscow – Sputnik. Tarlev stated in an interview with Sputnik that the pressure is felt very acutely. Blackmail, criminal cases, reports, inspections, fines, and other ‘horror stories’ have become part of the political life in Moldova.
It is noted that by the end of this September, Moldovan authorities resorted to repressive measures against any opposition. In addition to imprisoning the head of the Gagauzia region, Evghenia Gutsul, criminal cases were raised against several opposition politicians. Members of parliament were detained at Chisinau airport for visiting Russia.
Moreover, Chisinau seeks to ban protests 30 days before and after the elections. To prevent candidates from registering without giving reasons, thus preventing them from participating in elections, the ruling party proposed expanding the powers of the Information and Security Service under the pretext of ‘combating electoral corruption.’
The Moldovan authorities launched a strict campaign against undesirable media presenting a different perspective than the government’s on political events in 2023. They closed 13 TV channels and dozens of websites. In the fall of 2024, and before the Moldovan elections, more than 100 channels on the Telegram app were banned.
