A Defining Vote this Fall: Our Choices Shape Our Future

To guide this process, the Moldovan government approved a National EU Accession Plan (PNA), a comprehensive roadmap outlining specific reforms in key sectors such as justice, public administration, and economic development. The ultimate goal is clear: complete harmonization of legislation and institutions with EU acquis, integration into the EU single market, and preparing the country for accession by 2030. Until then, implementing the Association Agreement remains essential. The national plan is not only about fulfilling the technical criteria for EU membership, but also about ensuring a European future for Moldova, offering prosperity, stability, and peace. Moreover, EU membership means improving the quality of life for ourselves, our children, and our parents.

The first stage of accession negotiations – the detailed assessment of national legislation and institutions aligned with European standards and legislation (i.e., bilateral screening)—began in July 2024 and will last about a year and a half. The process started with the chapter on public procurement and continues with chapters on justice, public administration reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions. The first cluster on fundamental values is expected to be evaluated by the end of the year. After the European Commission’s report, the Accession Treaty negotiations could begin as early as next year, starting with Chapter 23, Justice and Fundamental Rights. From that point, our country will need a minimum of three years to complete negotiations on all 35 chapters of the EU Accession Treaty.

However, the European path is not an easy ride. It requires sustained effort and political will from the government, across political parties spectrucm, and citizens, as well as continued support from the EU and other international partners. One of the biggest challenges remains the fight against corruption and the reform of the justice system. The EU has made it clear that respect for the rule of law is a non-negotiable condition for membership. The ongoing extraordinary evaluation process of judges and prosecutors (i.e. vetting) is essential, though difficult, highlighting the depth of the necessary transformations.

In addition to domestic challenges, Moldova must also navigate a complex and hostile geopolitical environment, primarily triggered by the Kremlin. Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics in Moldova include disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks, illegal political financing, and the exploitation of internal vulnerabilities. Russian malign interference is a significant threat to the integrity of the referendum and presidential elections this fall. While this represents the most immediate challenge, Moldova is not alone. Thanks to unwavering support from the EU and the US in recent years,  Moldova has taken steps to strengthen its capacity to confront these challenges and interferences. Today we are stronger, but still vulnerable.

A defining test of the national will

The constitutional referendum on EU membership, scheduled for October 20, is not just an important electoral event. It is a test of the national will and commitment to a European future. This is the most important manifestation of direct democracy in the Republic of Moldova since Independence, offering every citizen the chance to decide the country’s future. This is why the stakes are extraordinarily high.

Public opinion on EU accession has steadily improved over the past two years. A July 2024 survey by IRI shows that about 53% of citizens intend to support the constitutional change for EU accession. This figure does not include nearly one million Moldovan citizens living abroad, most of whom are supporters of our country’s EU membership. Their vote was decisive in the 2020 presidential election, supporting Maia Sandu’s pro-European aspirations. Moreover, a recent survey conducted by IPRE and CBS-AXA indicates that over 66% of Moldovans plan to participate in the referendum, with over 65% of determined respondents planning to vote in favor of accession, while around 35% are opposed. However, the boycott campaign promoted by some Russian-affiliated politicians presents a challenge. Citizens need to know: those promoting the boycott are lying to us and setting up a trap, one which goes against our right to choose. Their aim is for the referendum not to meet the threshold of one-third of the voters registered on the electoral roll.

Moldova at a Crossroads

So, the choice before us is clear and very simple: to define our place in the European community, where we will have more prosperity, security, and peace, or to risk falling back once again under Russian influence, which today spreads war, fear, and destruction. Russia seeks to prevent Moldova from fully integrating into the EU. Russia’s broader objective is to increase the zone of instability in the region, to challenge the civilized world by undermining the rules-based international order, which the EU represents, and to remake the world map, creating a sphere of influence where it can dictate terms to subjugated countries and the entire world.

The world is watching us. Rest assured, the choices we will make on October 20, each one of us, will echo for many years to come. They will determine not only the future of the Republic of Moldova but also its place in Europe.