The German Marshall Fund of the United States, its Frontlines of Democracy Initiative, and Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation invite you to a timely briefing focused on Moldova’s upcoming presidential election. On November 1, Moldova will hold its presidential election in an environment that is highly contentious and politically polarized, marred by disinformation and lack of free media and a population struggling to address the challenges and fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. It also comes at a time of increased distrust in Moldovan politicians and institutions due to perceived failed management of the pandemic by the government. Reporting in Moldova suggests that President Igor Dodon and former Prime Minister Maia Sandu lead the vote count less than two months before the election.

The Moldovan election is also playing out geopolitically as pro-Russian President Dodon and his party are seen to be moving Moldova further from the EU and transatlantic integration and committing less to democratic reforms, including combating corruption. Under President Dodon’s leadership Moldovans have also seen a significant uptick in Kremlin efforts, including its use of measures to make sure Moldova is derailed from its European integration path.

Joining us on September 23 to speak to these issues will be leading civil society and policy experts from Moldova who will discuss the presidential candidates and election, as well as their possible political direction and commitment to democratic reforms and transatlantic integration following the election. The conversation will also focus on Moldova’s relationships with the West and Russia and how they could evolve following the election.

Speakers:

Valeriu Pasa - Lead Policy Expert, Disinformation and Politics, WatchDog.MD

Nicu Popescu - Director, Wider Europe Program, European Council on Foreign Relations

Elena Prohnitchi - Secretary, Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections and Deputy Director, Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT

Alina Inayeh - Director, Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Jonathan Katz - Senior Fellow and Director, Democracy Initiatives, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Stela Leuca - Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States