Moldovan President Accuses Russia Of 'Buying' Voters In Local Elections

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of "buying" voters in the November 5 local elections by funneling money to pro-Moscow political parties. Sandu said Moscow had channeled 90 million Moldovan lei (about $4.9 million) in two months to finance "criminal groups," including a banned party led by fugitive businessman Ilan Shor. "Russia previously bought those people who were running Moldova," Sandu said on November 1 in an interview with Jurnal TV, referring to corruption scandals before she was elected in 2020. "It no longer has that possibility. Now it is buying Moldovan citizens."