Russia meddles in Moldova's elections: how the Kremlin uses the church

According to hvylya.net: In Moldova, ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, Russia's influence on political processes is noticeably increasing. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation.

According to the center, Russian influence is particularly palpable through pro-Russian forces and controlled religious structures that actively interfere in the election campaign. For example, on August 29, representatives of pro-Russian parties broke the law by visiting the ancient monastery of St. Cyprian during campaigning, disregarding the ban on the participation of religious confessions in election campaigning.

'Pro-Russian clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moldova systematically exploit the trust of the population to support political forces loyal to the Kremlin. In addition to traditional propaganda, they create religious-information centers in monasteries and churches where they disseminate anti-European narratives from the Kremlin: they conduct lectures and appearances by journalists, bloggers, and political scientists, organize campaign materials, and implement schemes for covert financing of pro-Russian political forces with theses about 'the destruction of Orthodoxy' and 'total Romanianization,' - noted the CPD.

By referencing pro-Russian priests, religious-information centers in monasteries, and the spread of anti-European narratives, Russia is strengthening pro-Russian forces, financing them, and provoking conflicts. The Center for Countering Disinformation emphasized that religious institutions are becoming a key tool of geopolitical influence.

With parliamentary elections approaching in Moldova, there is an increase in Russian influence on political processes through pro-Russian forces and religious structures involved in the election campaign. This is confirmed by the actions of pro-Russian parties that violate laws and use the church to support political interests, contributing to the consolidation of pro-Russian forces in the country.