The crowd filing through central Chisinau waving EU flags on Friday evening was clear: they believe Russia is trying to steal their election and bring pro-Kremlin politicians to power in Moldova.
Their weapon is money, your weapon is your vote!, was the loudest chant as several hundred supporters of the governing party, PAS, and its pro-European policies joined the final rally before Sunday's ballot.
This week Moldovan police and prosecutors disclosed evidence of election interference on an unprecedented scale: vote-buying and disinformation that they link directly to Russia. They've also uncovered a plot to foment violent unrest, detaining dozens of men who travelled to Serbia for training including in the use of firearms.
Opposition parties dismiss talk of Russian meddling as a political show claiming the government is laying the ground to annul the vote should PAS lose its majority in parliament.
But Moldova took a decisive turn towards EU membership and away from Moscow after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now the evidence suggests Russia has been investing heavily in restoring its influence.
The stakes of these elections are high, with Prime Minister Dorin Recean calling it a final battle for Moldova, as he accuses Russia of spending significant resources to undermine the government through propaganda. Vital support from the citizens is paramount for both the governing party and its opposition, as they grapple with the challenge of navigating this treacherous political landscape.
The outcome of these elections will determine whether Moldova continues its pro-European trajectory or falls back under the shadow of Russian influence.
