WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 18, 2025) – McCain Institute Senior Director for Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton has written an assessment ahead of the September 28 Moldovan parliamentary election based on an expert mission to Moldova September 1-4 in cooperation with the German Marshall Fund and the European Council on Foreign Relations. The Moldovan Platform for Security and Defense Initiative hosted the mission. Thornton also traveled to the autonomous region of Gagauzia and the town of Taraclia on September 5 to meet with media groups.
The delegation included experts on malign foreign influence, elections, and democracy as well as journalists from Europe and the United States. The purpose of the mission was to evaluate the electoral landscape and risks to the integrity of the upcoming election in order to inform policy makers and publics back home.
A key takeaway from the mission is that Russia is engaged in a multi-vector war not only to thwart Moldova from its democratic trajectory toward European Union (EU) membership (approved by a narrow majority in a referendum last Fall) and bring to heel in Russia’s sphere of influence but also to threaten broader security in Europe. By investing hundreds of millions of dollars through cryptocurrency and illegal financial schemes, the Kremlin has coopted major political contenders and infiltrated the Church, information space, and voters. The Moldovan government and civic actors have struggled to fight back in this grossly asymmetrical fight.
“This election is not one based on policy or ideology, but a choice between a democratic Moldova and Russia. Given the existential stakes, Western partners should be increasing their support to the nation. Instead, we see severe cuts in United States foreign aid, dramatically hurting efforts to fend off Russia’s war effort.” Thornton said.
The report outlines recommendations for U.S. and EU policymakers:
- Address finance operations like terrorist cells. Cryptocurrency investments in Moldova are transnational. Russia is effectively using third countries and international banking to carry out its warfare and this requires international cooperation, and possible sanctions on third countries or banks. More investment is needed in law enforcement, banking controls, and intelligence.
- Consider personal and financial sanctions for known pro-Russian operatives in Moldova, particularly those responsible for illegal financing schemes or sabotage efforts.
- Enhance training and technical assistance to, and increase intelligence cooperation with, Moldovan authorities on cybersecurity, electoral violence prevention, border security, and targeting illicit finance.
- Increase exchanges and study visits with Moldovan trusted local leaders, priests, and influencers.
For the U.S.:
- Reinstate critical funding for independent media organizations and local civil society groups that provide essential reporting on politics, the economy, and foreign policy, conduct resilience-building initiatives, including civic education and media literacy, monitor and report on Russian hybrid warfare, and carry out a variety of disinformation activities, particularly in the pro-Russian regions.
- Reinstate critical public diplomacy programs, including funding for the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Support for international organizations like Internews, IREX, and others working to enhance local journalism and education and support for Moldovan civil society should be increased.
- Reinstate funding for international election observation organizations like the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute so they can enhance their presence in Moldova through increased pre-election and election day monitoring and bolster their training and technical assistance to Moldovan election observation groups.
- Reinstate funding for domestic election monitors that are key to evaluating the conduct of the elections, exposing irregularities, and building public trust in the process.
- Reinstate support of Moldovan critical energy infrastructure projects, which are essential in defending the country against Russian manipulation.
Following the elections, the U.S. and EU need to prepare for different scenarios and instability and should be in lockstep on how to evaluate the elections and on future engagement with the next government.
- The international community must stand behind the findings from trusted domestic and international observers about the integrity of the elections.
- The EU and U.S. should invest significantly in post-election observer efforts, including high-level international delegations, to monitor developments and demonstrate support.
View the full report HERE.
Learn more about the McCain Institute’s Global Democracy program here.