Oh dear Russian and EU involvement in the Moldova Referendum.

They say the devil is in the details, and it’s so true it is

In a massive blow to its pride, the Brussels elite have received a ‘no’ from the people in Moldova yet Moldova scraped through to join the EU

On Sunday, the citizens of Moldova, a small yet strategically significant landlocked nation and former Soviet state, cast their votes in a pivotal referendum on EU membership. The Central Electoral Commission revealed a closely contested outcome, with 50.16% of voters endorsing the proposal by voting “DA,” while 49.84% opposed it with “NO.” Most in-country voters had rejected EU membership by Sunday night and into Monday morning. However, the proposal’s narrow success was secured thanks to the overwhelming support from hundreds of thousands of Moldovan expatriates living in mostly Russia And other EU countrys. This outcome highlights the crucial role of the diaspora in shaping Moldova’s future and underscores the nation’s potential for integration into the European community.

Moldova’s path to EU membership was narrowly approved by just 4,999 votes, thanks largely to the decisive influence of Moldovans living abroad. Interestingly, those residing within the country’s borders voted against joining the EU.

Now let’s look at how the EU tried to influence the outcome by trying to buy votes.

Just 10 days before the crucial referendum, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered a striking €1.8 billion incentive to the people of Moldova. This bold move places Brussels in a tricky spot, appearing as a dramatic, last-ditch effort to sway the results of a foreign election.

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, made a pivotal announcement in Chișinău, Moldova, on October 10, 2024. This statement is especially crucial, coming just ten days before Moldova’s elections, a time characterized by intense political engagement and heightened public anticipation.

Due to the gravity of this matter, I am sharing the statement delivered in Chișinău, Moldova, by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on October 10, 2024, just ten days before the elections.

Excerpts from the Speech by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Delivered on October 10, 2024:

“It is always a pleasure for me to come and see you here in Chișinău. I can feel Europe’s pulse beating here. Moldova has shown time and again how vibrantly European it is. And you have shown time and again how personally committed you are to the accession path of your country to the European Union. There is a big milestone ahead for the people of Moldova. Citizens will soon go to the polls to decide sovereignly whether to anchor Moldova’s European future in your constitution. I encourage Moldovans to use their vote and express their free choice. It is for you, the Moldovans, to decide. It is your sovereign choice what to do with your country, and no one can interfere. Of course, speaking as President of the European Commission, I believe that Moldova’s place is in our European Union.

“Since you were granted candidate status in June 2022, you have made remarkable progress. You completed very important steps forward. You have initiated important justice reforms. You have intensified the fight against corruption. And you have worked hard to loosen the grip of oligarchs on your economy and society. All of this demonstrates your attachment to our common values. Values of respect for democracy and the rule of law.

“The second key dimension is your economic integration in our Union. I have come here to emphasise that your economy and our Single Market should come closer. And we can start right now, even before you join our Union.

“I know that you have an ambitious economic plan for Moldova. And the European Union will support it. We believe that we can help you double the size of your economy in a decade. That means good jobs and a better quality of life for Moldovans. Our support to you is built on three pillars. First, we invest. We will invest EUR 1.8 billion in your economy over the next three years. And we will focus these investments on sectors that will generate economic growth and public services. There is already a good pipeline of projects. We will renovate schools, for example. We will build two new hospitals, in Bălți and Cahul. We will invest in better connections in your country, and with your neighbours — like the road between Chișinău, Iași and Odesa, or bridges over the Prut river. We will also invest in your energy network, with powerlines that connect you to the European grid. And finally, we will roll out broadband internet throughout the country. Second, we will open doors to more areas of our Single Market to Moldovan companies. For example, you will have access to the Single Payments Area. This will enable secure and faster transfers of money and minimal fees, which is good for business. This will provide more financial opportunities for your SMEs.”

Just how poor is Moldova?

Moldova was granted official candidate status in June 2022, marking a significant step in the EU’s strategic plan to expand its membership following the UK’s exit. Although this move underscores the EU’s dedication to growth and integration, the economic implications remain modest. Moldova’s GDP is relatively small compared to the existing EU member states, which means the overall economic size per capita of the EU is likely to decrease with its inclusion. To illustrate, it would require the economic output of over 200 Moldovas to match the economic contribution that the UK provided to the EU.

• Moldova’s GDP 2023 : $1,539 m
• UK’s GDP 2023 : $3,340,032 m

[Source : World Bank.]

In the early 21st century, there was a notable increase in the number of Moldovans seeking employment abroad, often without legal authorization, in countries such as the United States, Canada, Russia, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. This migration trend was largely driven by economic challenges within Moldova. By 2009, the remittances sent back by Moldovans working overseas accounted for nearly 38% of Moldova’s GDP, making it the second-highest percentage of GDP derived from remittances worldwide at that time. This significant financial contribution highlights the reliance of Moldova’s economy on its diaspora.

Europe’s liberal media often spotlight alleged Russian meddling in the referendum vote, hinting that Russian funds might have swayed the results. While these claims seem plausible, there’s been surprisingly little chatter about the European Union’s hefty €1.8 billion aid package to Moldova, announced just 10 days before the vote. This package promises to double Moldova’s economy, build schools and hospitals, improve roads, and provide broadband access — because who doesn’t need faster internet to stream cat videos? Such generous financial support might just have voters thinking, “Hey, who needs Russian rubles when you’ve got EU euros?” If the UK were still in the EU, British taxpayers would likely have chipped in a fair share, making Brexit seem like the ultimate coupon for avoiding unexpected expenses!