The European Union is preparing new sanctions for Moldovan politicians involved in actions of destabilizing the Republic of Moldova, manifested mainly through vote buying and attempts to influence the results of last fall’s presidential and referendum elections. The leaders of the pro-Russian bloc “Victory” are targeted, accused of vote buying and attempts to manipulate the 2023 elections. The decision to sanction them could be officialized on July 15 at the meeting of EU foreign ministers, writes Europa Liberă, cited by IPN.
According to the draft resolution, deciphered by Europa Liberă, the list of those sanctioned includes MPs Alexandr Nesterovschi and Irina Lozovan, members of the “Renastere” party, considered the successor of the former “Shor” party, which was banned in 2023. The document specifies that they held important roles alongside the leader of the party to which they belong, Natalia Parasca, who is also included on the list of those sanctioned by the European Union, for their involvement in a vote-buying scheme during the autumn 2024 elections.
EU sanctions could also be imposed on the leaders of other parties, who are part of the Victory bloc. Many of them recently attended a congress of the formation, held on July 6 in Moscow. Among them is Alexandru Beșchieru, the president of the “Alternative and Salvation Force of Moldova” formation. It should be noted that in the local elections of 2023, the party’s candidate, Tatiana Cociu, won the mayoralty of Orhei municipality.
Additionally, Vadim Grozavu, the leader of the “Victory” party, Alexei Lungu, the leader of the “Chance” party, and Victoria Furtuna, the leader of the “Great Moldova” party, are also set to face sanctions.
The cited source writes that on the list of organizations to be sanctioned there is also the Russian company A7, owned by Ilan Shor. The EU says that through this company, votes were allegedly bought during last year’s presidential elections and referendum. Also included on the list as sanctioned entities will be the Victorie bloc and the Moldova Cultural-Educational Center in Moscow, created by Shor and his close associates.
The sanctioning of those who “destabilize the situation in the Republic of Moldova” was made possible thanks to a new sanctions regime adopted by the EU at the request of the Moldovan authorities. Vlad Plahotniuc, Ilan Șor, and Marina Tauber challenged the sanctions at the European Court of Justice. The latter two lost, while Plahotniuc won in October 2024, due to insufficiently explained reasons. In the meantime, the EU has renewed the sanctions.
