The Republic of Moldova ahead of the presidential election and the EU referendum

On October 20, Moldovans will decide on the person in the presidential palace and their country's accession to the EU. Both elections are about Moldova's fundamental political direction. Will the country remain on a pro-European and reform-oriented course, which continues to be supported by a majority of the population, or will the country - as has often happened in the past - fall back into a gray zone in which Russia and a few oligarchs can expand their influence on politics and society and necessary reforms, especially in the judiciary? A victory for the president and a clear yes from Moldovans to EU accession would also send a signal to Moscow that a Moldova controlled by Russia will only be possible with massive resistance from the population.