The former Soviet republic of Moldova has voted as polls showed the outcome might slow, although not halt, its moves to shift towards the European Union and away from Russia, which has damaged its economy by banning its wines and other prime exports.
Surveys show public opinion in one of Europe’s smallest and poorest countries is divided over whether to stick to the pro-Europe path pursued by the ruling centre-right coalition or reverse course and join the Russia-led economic bloc.
Moldova’s breakaway pro- Russian enclave of Transdniestria gives Russia a potential springboard, but Moscow has so far shown no readiness to intervene as it has done in Ukraine.
In pre-election opinion polls, the communists came in as a front-runner at 24 per cent and the three pro-EU coalition parties, including the Liberal Democratic party of prime minister Iurie Leanca, together at 38 to 43 per cent.
Moldova’s communist opposition leader, former president Vladimir Voronin (72), supports integration with Europe, but he also aims to revise the trade part of an accord with the EU to protect domestic food producers from being overwhelmed by EU competition.
He also aims to improve relations with Moscow, Moldova’s big energy provider, although he has been on poor terms with Russia since turning down a deal on Transdniestria a decade ago.
With the far-reaching political and trade deal with the EU bloc ratified and with Moldovans now enjoying visa-free travel to western Europe, commentators say it is difficult to imagine any new leadership gaining popular support for a U-turn back towards Moscow.
Russia has shown its displeasure by banning wines, vegetables and meat imports from the landlocked country of 3.5 million people wedged between wartorn Ukraine and EU member Romania.– (Reuters)