2024 Moldovan European Union membership referendum

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A nationwide referendum is scheduled to be held in Moldova on 20 October 2024 [1] on whether the country should amend the Constitution of Moldova to include the Moldovan citizens' wish for European Union membership, in order to prevent future governments from derailing the country from its pro-European trajectory. [2] [3]

Contents

Incumbent president Maia Sandu is campaigning for the "yes" side in the referendum. [4]

Background

In March 2022, following Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Moldova submitted an application for EU membership. [5] Subsequently, in June of the same year, Moldova was granted the status of a candidate country by the European Council. [6] In December 2023, the European Council announced its decision to open accession negotiations with Moldova. [7] Moldova set a target date of 2030 for EU accession. [8]

President Sandu had announced in 2023 her intention to seek re-election. [2] Additionally, Sandu announced the launch of an online platform aimed at promoting the referendum and advocating for the benefits of EU membership to the country. [2] Observers noted Sandu is gearing up to focus her efforts on EU integration, an area where she and her party PAS have experienced consistent success in order to be re-elected. [9]

The Parliament of Moldova will determine the date for the referendum, although Sandu expressed her hope that it will coincide with the presidential elections scheduled for the autumn. Sandu said; "It is important to hold a referendum now because it is a historic occasion, awaited for three decades. The European Union member states are more open than ever, we have the necessary political will for this step, and our citizens want to be part of the EU." [2]

On 21 March 2024, the Parliament endorsed a resolution of 54-to-0 to continue the efforts to join the European Union. The declaration asserted, "Only joining Europe can ensure the future of the country as a sovereign, neutral, and fully democratic state". During the vote, all opposition parties in parliament walked out. [10] On 16 May, Parliament approved the holding of the referendum in conjunction with the presidential election on 20 October. [11] [12]

Gagauzia

On 2 February 2014, the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia held two referendums on European integration. In one, 98.4% voted in favour of joining the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, while in the second 97.2% opposed further integration with the EU. 98.9% also supported the proposition that Gagauzia could declare independence if Moldova unified with Romania. [13] There is concern in Gagauzia that Moldova's integration with the EU could lead to such a unification with EU member Romania, which is unpopular in the autonomous region. [14]

Campaign

At a meeting in Moscow on 21 April 2024, five opposition parties, namely the Șor Party, the Revival Party, Chance, Victorie and the Alternative Force for Saving Moldova, announced the formation of an alliance called Victory to oppose EU membership and seek closer relations with Russia. The leader of Gagauzia, Evghenia Guțul, also expressed support for the movement, which revolves around Șor Party leader Ilan Shor. Moldovan Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spînu called the members of the coalition "traitors" and suggested that it had been formed "right next to the Kremlin". [15]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Moldovan constitutional referendum</span>

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Maia Sandu is a Moldovan politician who has been the President of Moldova since 24 December 2020. She is the founder and former leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and former Prime Minister of Moldova from 8 June 2019 until 14 November 2019, when the government collapsed after a vote of no-confidence. Sandu was Minister of Education from 2012 to 2015 and member of the Parliament of Moldova from 2014 to 2015, and again in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Moldovan parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Moldova on 24 February 2019 in order to elect the 101 members of the Parliament of Moldova. The Constitution holds that elections are to be held no later than four years and three months from the date of inauguration of the previous legislature. The elections were held under a parallel voting system, replacing the closed-list proportional system used in Moldova at all previous parliamentary elections since the independence. The electoral campaign period began in November 2018 and continued up until the election day. Candidates from four parties were elected to the Parliament, more specifically the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM), the ACUM electoral alliance composed of the DA and the PAS, and the Șor Party. The Party of Communists (PCRM) failed to obtain any seats for the first time since the independence of the Republic of Moldova. The results were subsequently confirmed and validated by Moldova's Constitutional Court on 9 March 2019. Furthermore, the results triggered a constitutional crisis in June.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Moldovan parliamentary election</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Moldovan presidential election</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Moldovan presidential election</span>

Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Moldova on 20 October 2024.

Events from the year 2021 in Moldova.

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Events from the year 2024 in Moldova.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victory (political bloc)</span> Political party in Moldova

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References

  1. ↑ "Moldova announces presidential elections, EU accession referendum for October". TVP World. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Moldova to hold EU accession referendum in autumn". SeeNews. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  3. ↑ "Moldovan president launches campaign to promote EU referendum". Reuters . 2024-03-18. The referendum would vote on enshrining Moldova's EU ambitions in the constitution ensuring that the bid is not derailed by future governments.
  4. ↑ "Moldovan president launches campaign to promote EU referendum". Reuters . 2024-03-18. President Maia Sandu launched a campaign to promote an upcoming referendum on Moldova's push to join the European Union on Monday, calling on civil leaders to rally support for the country's accession to the 27-member bloc.
  5. ↑ "Moldova officially applies for EU membership". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  6. ↑ "EU leaders grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate status". POLITICO. 2022-06-23. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  7. ↑ euser (2023-12-17). "European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, grants candidate status to Georgia". EU4Digital. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  8. ↑ "Moldova sets 2030 as EU accession target at massive pro-EU rally in Chisinau". 22 May 2023.
  9. ↑ Solovyov, Vladimir. "Moldova's Sandu Stakes Reelection on EU Integration". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
  10. ↑ "Moldovan Parliament backs bid to join EU, but divisions remain". Euractiv . 2024-03-22.
  11. ↑ "Moldova to hold referendum on joining EU in October". The Kyiv Independent . 16 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "Moldova To Hold Presidential Vote, EU Referendum In October". RFE/RL . 16 May 2024.
  13. ↑ "Gagauzia Voters Reject Closer EU Ties For Moldova". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  14. ↑ "Concerned About EU Integration, Moldova's Gagauz Region Holds Disputed Referendum". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  15. ↑ "Moldovan opposition announces new election bloc at Moscow event". Reuters. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
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