ANALYSIS: Moldova’s European “Show of Support” Looks Like Electioneering

By now it should be clear: Moldova’s ruling authorities are pulling out every card they can ahead of September’s parliamentary elections. And one of their strongest cards isn’t even local. It’s the parade of European leaders set to land in Chișinău just days before voters go to the polls.

On August 27, Moldova’s Independence Day, no less than France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Poland’s Donald Tusk will be on stage with President Maia Sandu. Four days later, Romania’s President Nicușor Dan arrives for the Romanian Language Day celebrations. The official story is that this is about “supporting Moldova’s European path.” But let’s not kid ourselves: the timing is not accidental.

Imagine if someone from the other part of the world had turned up in Chișinău during an election year. Brussels and Washington would be screaming “foreign interference” before the motorcade left the airport. Yet when the European establishment does it? Perfectly fine, even celebrated as a “sign of trust.” Double standards much?

Stage-managed show

Sandu’s administration insists that these high-level visits confirm Europe’s faith in Moldova’s future. Opposition figures, though, see it differently: a massive campaign stunt for Sandu’s party, PAS. Former President Igor Dodon called the visits “direct interference,” warning Macron and others that Moldovans won’t forget it. Even Vlad Filat, no friend of Dodon, admitted that having three European heavyweights parachute into Moldova in the middle of a campaign is “clearly” a partisan boost for PAS.

And the strategy is obvious. Polls show over half of Moldovans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. PAS’s once-enthusiastic base is eroding, especially among the diaspora, who no longer fear the “Russian threat” the way Sandu frames it. The ruling party knows it won’t secure a clean win, so the goal is to hold enough ground to form a coalition after the vote. Cue the European star power to rally the undecided 20% who are wavering.

Hypocrisy on full display

Sandu has been quick to accuse Moscow of meddling in Moldova’s elections, through disinformation, church networks, even alleged cyberattacks. But if interference is bad in principle, shouldn’t the same rules apply to European leaders flying in to openly campaign with the sitting president? The government can argue these are “official visits,” but the political effect is undeniable: Sandu is framed as the candidate with Europe’s full backing.

This “with us or against us” narrative, vote PAS or lose Moldova’s European future, is a tired scare tactic. Instead of strengthening democracy, it narrows political choice and alienates those Moldovans who might prefer a different pro-European party or simply want politics less polarized.

Sandu’s dangerous game

By wrapping herself so tightly in the EU flag, Sandu risks reducing Moldova’s independence to a prop in her campaign. If Brussels wants to be seen as a genuine partner, parachuting presidents into Chișinău during election season is hardly the way to go. It turns European support into electoral ammunition, undermines trust in the fairness of the vote, and fuels the very resentment she claims to be fighting.