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2024 Moldovan European Union membership referendum

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2024 Moldovan European Union membership referendum
20 October 2024
Do you support the amendment of the Constitution with a view to the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union?

A nationwide referendum is scheduled to be held in Moldova on 20 October 2024[1] on whether the country should amend the Constitution of Moldova to include the Moldovan citizens' wish for European Union membership, in order to prevent future governments from derailing the country from its pro-European trajectory.[2][3]

Incumbent president Maia Sandu is campaigning for the "yes" side in the referendum.[4]

Turnout must be over 33% for the referendum to be considered valid.

Background

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See also: Accession of Moldova to the European Union and Moldova–European Union relations

In March 2022, following Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Moldova submitted an application for EU membership.[5] Subsequently, in June of the same year, Moldova was granted the status of a candidate country by the European Council.[6] In December 2023, the European Council announced its decision to open accession negotiations with Moldova.[7] Moldova set a target date of 2030 for EU accession.[8]

President Sandu had announced in 2023 her intention to seek re-election.[2] Additionally, Sandu announced the launch of an online platform aimed at promoting the referendum and advocating for the benefits of EU membership to the country.[2] Observers noted Sandu is gearing up to focus her efforts on EU integration, an area where she and her party PAS have experienced consistent success in order to be re-elected.[9]

The Parliament of Moldova will determine the date for the referendum, although Sandu expressed her hope that it will coincide with the presidential elections scheduled for the autumn. Sandu said; "It is important to hold a referendum now because it is a historic occasion, awaited for three decades. The European Union member states are more open than ever, we have the necessary political will for this step, and our citizens want to be part of the EU."[2]

On 21 March 2024, the Parliament endorsed a resolution of 54-to-0 to continue the efforts to join the European Union. The declaration asserted, "Only joining Europe can ensure the future of the country as a sovereign, neutral, and fully democratic state". During the vote, all opposition parties in parliament walked out.[10] On 16 May, Parliament approved the holding of the referendum in conjunction with the presidential election on 20 October.[11][12]

Gagauzia

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On 2 February 2014, the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia held two referendums on European integration. In one, 98.4% voted in favour of joining the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, while in the second 97.2% opposed further integration with the EU. 98.9% also supported the proposition that Gagauzia could declare independence if Moldova unified with Romania.[13] There is concern in Gagauzia that Moldova's integration with the EU could lead to such a unification with EU member Romania, which is unpopular in the autonomous region.[14]

Question

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The text of the question put to the vote is:[15]

Do you support the amendment of the Constitution with a view to the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union?

Campaign

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At a meeting in Moscow on 21 April 2024, five opposition parties, namely the Șor Party, the Revival Party, Chance, Victorie and the Alternative Force for Saving Moldova, announced the formation of an alliance called Victory to oppose EU membership and seek closer relations with Russia. The leader of Gagauzia, Evghenia Guțul, also expressed support for the movement, which revolves around Șor Party leader Ilan Shor. Moldovan Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spînu called the members of the coalition "traitors" and suggested that it had been formed "right next to the Kremlin".[16]

Moldovan authorities have accused Russian-trained groups of plotting to destabilise the exercise. In September 2024, incidents of vandalism on the offices of the Supreme Court of Justice of Moldova and on the public broadcaster Teleradio-Moldova were attributed to the said groups.[17] In October 2024, authorities announced the discovery of a plot by Ilan Shor involving $15 million in funds from Russia that were distributed to around 130,000 people in order to bribe voters into selecting anti-Western decisions and spread disinformation against the European Union on social media, following raids on 26 locations nationwide.[18][19] Russia denied the accusations.[20]

Registered political parties

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The Central Electoral Commission of Moldova has registered the parties that will take part in the referendum campaign. Of the 15 parties officially registered as of 20 September, 13 are in favor of the YES option and two are in favor of the NO option. Also, some parties such as PSRM or PDCM decided to boycott the referendum.[21]

Choice Parties Political orientation Leader Ref
checkY Yes Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) Liberalism Igor Grosu [22]
National Alternative Movement (MAN) Social democracy Ion Ceban [22]
European Social Democratic Party (PSDE) Social democracy Ion Sula [22]
Together Bloc (Împreună)[a] Liberalism Octavian Țîcu [22]
Ecologist Green Party (PV) Green politics Anatolie Prohnițchi [22]
Respect Moldova Movement (MRM) Social conservatism Eugeniu Nichiforciuc [22]
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Social liberalism Arina Spătaru [22]
Coalition for Unity and Welfare (CUB) Liberalism Igor Munteanu [22]
Democracy at Home Party (PPDA) Populism Vasile Costiuc [22]
Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) Romanian nationalism Boris Volosatîi [22]
We Political Party (NOI) Social democracy Vladimir Dachi [22]
Party of National Reunification "Acasă" (PRN) Moldovan–Romanian unionism Valentin Dolganiuc [22]
Popular Will Party (PVP) Conservatism Nicolae Gîrbu [22]
☒N No Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) Communism Vladimir Voronin [22]
Revival Party (PR) Social conservatism Natalia Parasca [22]
Chance (PȘ) (excluded from campaign) Liberalism Alexei Lungu [21]
Gray X symbolNg Boycott Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) Democratic socialism Igor Dodon [21]
Party of Development and Consolidation (PDCM) Christian democracy Ion Chicu [21]
No position Our Party (PN) Populism Renato Usatîi [21]

Notes

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  1. ^ Bloc consisting of the Dignity and Truth Platform, the League of Cities and Towns (LOS) and the Party of Changes [ro]

References

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  1. ^ "Moldova announces presidential elections, EU accession referendum for October". TVP World. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  2. ^ a b c d "Moldova to hold EU accession referendum in autumn". SeeNews. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  3. ^ "Moldovan president launches campaign to promote EU referendum". Reuters. 2024-03-18. The referendum would vote on enshrining Moldova's EU ambitions in the constitution ensuring that the bid is not derailed by future governments.
  4. ^ "Moldovan president launches campaign to promote EU referendum". Reuters. 2024-03-18. President Maia Sandu launched a campaign to promote an upcoming referendum on Moldova's push to join the European Union on Monday, calling on civil leaders to rally support for the country's accession to the 27-member bloc.
  5. ^ "Moldova officially applies for EU membership". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  6. ^ "EU leaders grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate status". POLITICO. 2022-06-23. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  7. ^ euser (2023-12-17). "European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, grants candidate status to Georgia". EU4Digital. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  8. ^ "Moldova sets 2030 as EU accession target at massive pro-EU rally in Chisinau". 22 May 2023.
  9. ^ Solovyov, Vladimir. "Moldova's Sandu Stakes Reelection on EU Integration". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
  10. ^ "Moldovan Parliament backs bid to join EU, but divisions remain". Euractiv. 2024-03-22.
  11. ^ "Moldova to hold referendum on joining EU in October". The Kyiv Independent. 16 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Moldova To Hold Presidential Vote, EU Referendum In October". RFE/RL. 16 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Gagauzia Voters Reject Closer EU Ties For Moldova". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  14. ^ "Concerned About EU Integration, Moldova's Gagauz Region Holds Disputed Referendum". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  15. ^ "Pliant informativ pentru alegătorii din localitățile din stânga Nistrului (RO/RU)" (PDF). Comisia Electorală Centrală a Republicii Moldova (in Romanian). 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  16. ^ "Moldovan opposition announces new election bloc at Moscow event". Reuters. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Moldovan broadcaster's headquarters targeted in pre-election vandalism spree". The Kyiv Independent. 29 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Moldova uncovers $15 million Russian-backed plot to influence upcoming elections with bribes and disinformation". The Kyiv Independent. 4 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Moldova Uncovers 'Unprecedented' Pro-Russia Vote Rigging". The Moscow Times. 3 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Kremlin Denies Meddling in Moldova's Elections". The Moscow Times. 13 October 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e Rotari, Iurie (2024-09-25). "Ce partide vor face agitație în campania pentru referendumul despre aderarea R. Moldova la UE". Radio Europa Liberă (in Romanian). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Înregistrarea participanților la referendum". a.cec.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 2024-09-26.
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