The ambassadors of the European Union have given the green light for the adoption of sanctions against Moldovan politicians involved in actions destabilizing the Republic of Moldova, manifested especially through vote buying and attempts to influence the results of the presidential elections and the referendum last fall. The announcement was made on social networks by the journalist from Radio Free Europe, Rikard Jozwiak, quoted by IPN.

The document contains several names of pro-Russian politicians, some of whom have already been sentenced to prison terms by the Moldovan justice system. The decision is expected to be confirmed at the meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU member states, scheduled for July 15.

According to the deciphered draft resolution by Europa Liberă, the list of those sanctioned also includes members of the “Renastere” party, considered the successor of the former Șor party, which was banned in 2023. The two MPs, Alexandr Nesterovschi and Irina Lozovan, were sentenced in March to 12 and 6 years in prison respectively, for illegal financing of political parties. Both have disappeared after their convictions and authorities suspect that they may be hiding in the Transnistrian region. The leaders of other parties officially part of the Victorie bloc will also be sanctioned.

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 Shor, and Marina Tauber contested the sanctions at the European Court of Justice. The latter two lost, while Plahotniuc won in October 2024, in the context of insufficiently explained reasons. In the meantime, the EU has renewed the sanctions.