Moscow and Chisinau clash over Russian voting stations in Transnistria
Russia says Moldova cannot block Russian citizens in Transnistria from voting in the State Duma election, while Moldovan officials call the plan unfriendly and question the numbers.
During a press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova asserted that Moldova must allow Russian citizens in Transnistria to vote in the upcoming State Duma election. Moldova’s foreign minister Mihai Popşoi responded that Moscow’s effort to set up unauthorized polling stations in the left-bank region is unfriendly and undermines Moldovan sovereignty. He also questioned the accuracy of Russia’s population estimates for the area.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri said the numbers cited by Moscow serve propagandistic purposes and highlighted that Moldovan authorities do not have access to the Russian data referenced. Popşoi reminded that only one voting location in Chisinau had been agreed upon with the Russian embassy, making additional stations in Transnistria unacceptable. The dispute comes as Russia prepares to hold its State Duma elections later in September.
Why it matters
The standoff highlights ongoing tensions over sovereignty and electoral influence in the disputed Transnistrian region.
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