Russia's influence was felt in last year's elections in a number of countries, but nowhere was this more evident than in the elections in Moldova, shows the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2024 Democracy Index, IPN reports.
The report points to the dissemination of misinformation, direct financial transfers to voters, intimidation and threats against those who support the country's accession to the European Union. Even so, the Republic of Moldova remains a "flawed democracy" and the overall score dropped from 6.23 in 2023 to 6.04 in 2024. In general, foreign intervention in an attempt to influence the outcome of the autumn elections led to downgradings on a series of indicators.
The Democracy Index reveals the division of views in society, based on disagreement with the country's direction and dissatisfaction with economic conditions, which gives Russia ground to try to influence voters. No doubt, Moscow will also try to do so as Moldova heads towards the 2025 legislative elections, the source concludes.
Meanwhile, Romania was downgraded from "flawed democracy" to "hybrid regime", alongside Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to the report, Romania's score was downgraded after a "shaky decision" by the Constitutional Court to annul the elections, following allegations of Russian interference, illegal social media tactics and campaign finance violations.
