### EU's Influence Wanes in Moldova and Georgia Elections Amid Russian Interference

The results of recent elections in Moldova and Georgia have exposed the European Union's challenges in steering these countries away from Russian influence and towards a pro-EU future. In Moldova, a referendum on EU membership saw a narrow victory with 50.4 percent of voters in favor, while the Georgian Dream party in Georgia is set to win with an illiberal agenda that could jeopardize the country's EU membership prospects.

The tightly contested result in Moldova has highlighted the extent of Russian interference in the electoral process. Pro-EU President Maia Sandu described Moscow's tactics as an "unprecedented assault on our country's freedom and democracy." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also attributed the tight result to Russian "dirty tricks," reaffirming Brussels' commitment to support Moldova’s EU aspirations.

Reports indicate Russia's heavy involvement in the Moldovan elections, with accusations of large-scale vote-buying and disinformation campaigns. According to Valeriu Pasha of the WatchDog.MD Community think-tank, Russia funneled an estimated €150 million into Moldova to sway the vote against EU membership. Despite this, the slim majority in favor of joining the EU was seen as a significant achievement by observers, including U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam.

The situation in Georgia appears even more dire, with the ruling Georgian Dream party expected to secure a majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The party has been criticized for pushing a pro-Russian agenda and restricting Western-funded NGOs, media, and the LGBTQ+ community. Marta Mucznik from Crisis Group pointed out that the preliminary results from Moldova underscore the uphill battle the EU faces in extending its influence to post-Soviet states.

International analysts like Ivana Stradner from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warn that Russia's influence extends beyond Ukraine, aiming to challenge democratic values globally. Moldova's President Sandu echoed these concerns, cautioning that tactics used to disrupt democratic processes in smaller countries could be replicated elsewhere.

As Moldova heads towards parliamentary elections in 2025, the political landscape remains fraught with divisions, and the outcome could have significant implications for the region's alignment with the EU. The struggle for influence between Brussels and Moscow continues, with democratic aspirations hanging in the balance.