A former Soviet republic on Europe’s eastern flank found itself playing David against a Goliath of foreign interference. Holding the ground, Moldova has become a demonstration of what the EU Democracy Shield seeks to achieve.
A frontline stress test for Europe
The story of Moldova’s recent parliamentary elections is both a success and a warning.
Its 2025 elections took place against the backdrop of Russia’s full–scale invasion of Ukraine and an ongoing hybrid war against Europe. On the European Union (EU) border, a vulnerable democracy was hit by a barrage of disinformation, illicit funding and cyberattacks aimed directly at its electoral process.
Only a rapid, coordinated response that brought together institutions, civil society and international partners enabled Moldova to protect the integrity of the vote.
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