Moldovan authorities accuse Orthodox Church of interfering in elections

Cathedral in Chișinău with the flags of Moldova and the EU. Photo: UOJ

Ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025, Moldovan authorities accused the local Orthodox Church of interfering in the pre-election process and attempting to undermine European integration. The report was published by Euronews.

Government spokesman Daniel Vodă stated that “Russia is using the Moldovan Church for propaganda and destabilization,” calling it one of the tools of hybrid warfare. According to him, Moscow is acting on several fronts, and the Church has become one of its main channels of influence.

The Central Election Commission also announced that “documented cases” exist in which clergy promoted pro-Russian narratives during sermons. The CEC reminded that religious organizations are prohibited from engaging in political activity.

According to Brussels, Moldova has once again become a “target of Russian disinformation.” The Euronews report, citing experts, noted that one of Russia’s most “insidious tactics” is the use of the Orthodox Church, which, by relying on its influence in society, participates in disinformation campaigns.

Andrei Curararu, analyst at the NGO WatchDog, stated: “Russia’s goal is to slow down or permanently halt Moldova’s accession to the EU and keep it in the gray zone of its influence, using the Moldovan Metropolis of the Moscow Patriarchate as a tool to shape the minds and votes of believers.”

According to European observers, the September 28 elections will be decisive for the republic’s future. If Moscow-oriented parties prevail, the process of European integration may be frozen. Brussels stresses that these elections will be “key to determining the country’s course.”

President Maia Sandu and her Action and Solidarity party are seeking to retain power and continue the pro-European path. The authorities are pushing for accelerated integration and expect political support from EU member states.

On September 9, Maia Sandu is scheduled to address the European Parliament with a speech on the risks of “Russian interference” and call on EU countries to support the opening of accession negotiations.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Sandu called the Moldovan Church a tool of Russian influence.

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