Moldova's pro-Russian parties were expected to defeat pro-EU rivals in yesterday's local elections, which were dominated by political and financial scandals and rising tension with Moscow and separatists that it supports.
Pre-election polls suggested the opposition Socialists would fare best by capitalising on frustration over the pro-EU government’s failure to tackle corruption and economic hardship exacerbated by a Russian ban on the import of Moldovan food and wine.
Moscow imposed the embargo in 2013 in retaliation for Moldova signing a historic political and trade agreement with the EU rather than joining the Russian-led Customs Union of ex-Soviet states.
The EU pact has brought few immediate benefits to Moldova, a country of 3.5 million that is one of the poorest states in Europe. People have taken to the streets amid a continuing wave of emigration.
In May, thousands rallied in the capital, Chisinau, over the disappearance of some €1 billion from three of the country’s biggest banks, which were under state control.
Last weekend, pro-EU prime minister Chiril Gaburici sharply criticised officials and prosecutors for failing to find those responsible. In what was seen as evidence of a high-level power struggle, state prosecutors responded by announcing an investigation into whether Mr Gaburici's school and university diplomas were fakes. The former businessman, who took power in February, denied wrongdoing and said the "leadership of the national bank and the state prosecutors' office do not want a good country but the continuation of billions leaking out of Moldova".
On Friday he resigned, saying: “I’m not a politician, I’m a manager. I don’t want to take part in political games… [or] the question of my education to become a topic of national importance.”
Pressure
Mr Gaburici's travails intensified pressure on the government as Russia seeks to strengthen its position in two pro-Moscow regions of Moldova – Transdniestria and Gagauzia – by offering to lift its ban on some food products.
While Gagauzia remains an autonomous province under government control, Transdniestria broke from Chisinau’s rule in a brief early-1990s war.
It has since relied on Russian diplomatic, financial and security support. Last month, Kiev annulled agreements allowing Russia send troops and military equipment through Ukraine to Transdniestria.
Moldova is also making it harder for Russian soldiers to travel to Transdniestria via Chisinau airport, forcing Moscow to fly troops and supplies direct to the province and seek overflight permission from Moldova and Ukraine.
Transdniestria’s leaders accuse Moldova and Ukraine of placing a “blockade” on the region and say they now rely more than ever on staunch backing from Russia – whose troops last week launched exercises in the province.
