Republic of Moldova: Statement by the Spokesperson on the upcomi

The European Union fully supports the strengthening of democratic institutions in the Republic of Moldova, as well as the right of the people of the Republic of Moldova to express their will in free and fair elections.

The upcoming presidential elections on 1 November 2020 need to be held in a credible, inclusive and transparent manner, upholding democratic standards and ensuring the rule of law in line with the country’s international commitments and commitments under the Association Agreement with the EU. Practices that contravene international standards, as observed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) in previous elections, such as vote buying, misuse of state resources, and pressurising voters must be avoided.

The European Union calls on the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to implement fully and without further delay the recommendations of the Council of Europe Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR to guarantee the transparency of party and campaign financing.

The EU also expects the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to facilitate the unhindered work of international and domestic election observers. It is particularly important to ensure the safety of voters and observers with regard to the coronavirus pandemic.