Moldova holds local elections amid Russian meddling allegations

Chisinau: Moldovans go to the polls on Sunday to elect mayors of villages, towns and cities after the president accused Moscow of meddling in the votes in Ukraine's western neighbour and a pro-Russian party was barred from the race.

The last national vote before presidential elections in November 2024 comes as the ex-Soviet state tries to advance its bid to join the European Union and leave Russia's orbit.

Pro-European President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting to oust her in a coup. This week, she accused Russia of "buying" voters by funneling $5 million to "criminal groups" led by fugitive businessman Ilan Shor in the last two months.

The election to pick 12,000 officials pits dozens of parties against each other, including Sandu's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the pro-Russian Revival party linked to Shor, who has been convicted in absentia for fraud.

On Friday, the Chance party, also associated with Shor, was barred from the vote on security grounds.

The election will be an important test of Sandu's course - particularly in smaller towns and villages - since her landslide victory in 2020.

In the capital Chisinau, mayor Ion Ceban is running for a second term against the PAS party's Lilian Carp. Ceban, who used to hold a pro-Russian position, set up a pro-European party in 2022, though PAS still regards him as a potential Moscow ally.

In a final televised appeal to voters on Friday evening, Sandu called for a high turnout to back her pro-European drive.

"Thanks to your vote, Moldova has a chance to become a member of the European family. Don't let our villages pass into the hands of thieves," she said.

Responding to Sandu's comments this week, Russia's foreign ministry called the Moldovan president a "disgrace" and said she was trying to distract attention from her government's failings.

The national security service has accused Shor of helping funnel 1 billion Moldovan lei ($55.60 million) into Moldova to stage anti-government protests during the war in Ukraine and to "buy" voters.

Shor said he was sending the money to Moldova to help pensioners, finance social infrastructure projects and some politicians. He denied the funds were linked to Russia.

Shor was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison in April for his role in a $1 billion bank corruption scandal. A party bearing his name was banned by the Constitutional Court in June and the Chance Party was set up to circumvent the ruling.

Polling stations are scheduled to open at 0700 local time (0500 GMT) and close at 2100.

($1 = 17.9850 Moldovan lei)