World press on the elections in Moldova (December 1, 2014)

 

World press on the elections in Moldova (December 1, 2014)"Moldovans voted on Sunday in parliamentary elections widely seen as a referendum on whether to align with Europe - and re-elect the current coalition government in favor of this - or pursue closer ties with Russia", writes Deutsche Welle."Latest results from Moldova's parliamentary elections show that pro-EU parties have a narrow lead over those backing closer ties with Russia. With 89% of the votes counted, the three pro-Western parties have about 44%. The opposition has 39%. No party appears to be able to form a government, and tough post-election bargaining is predicted. The elections have taken on a wider significance in the shadow of the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine", reports BBC."Moldova, like Ukraine, has moved steadily toward greater political and economic integration with the European Union. But it has come under severe pressure from Russia to change course. Russia banned the import of Moldovan wine last year, and in recent months, it followed up with bans on apples, meat and other food products — brutal blows to the nation’s economy, which depends heavily on agriculture", writes the New York Times."Forming a government is expected to be extremely difficult and to entail intense negotiations in the coming weeks. Although the Supreme Court of Justice upheld the ban on Patria in a ruling on Saturday, the late disqualification gave further ammunition to Russian officials who have complained of European meddling aimed at undercutting the Kremlin’s influence in the former Soviet Union", predicts the New York Times.

"Moldovans voted on Sunday in parliamentary elections widely seen as a referendum on whether to align with Europe - and re-elect the current coalition government in favor of this - or pursue closer ties with Russia", writes Deutsche Welle.

"Latest results from Moldova's parliamentary elections show that pro-EU parties have a narrow lead over those backing closer ties with Russia. With 89% of the votes counted, the three pro-Western parties have about 44%. The opposition has 39%. No party appears to be able to form a government, and tough post-election bargaining is predicted. The elections have taken on a wider significance in the shadow of the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine", reports BBC.

"Moldova, like Ukraine, has moved steadily toward greater political and economic integration with the European Union. But it has come under severe pressure from Russia to change course. Russia banned the import of Moldovan wine last year, and in recent months, it followed up with bans on apples, meat and other food products — brutal blows to the nation’s economy, which depends heavily on agriculture", writes the New York Times.

"Forming a government is expected to be extremely difficult and to entail intense negotiations in the coming weeks. Although the Supreme Court of Justice upheld the ban on Patria in a ruling on Saturday, the late disqualification gave further ammunition to Russian officials who have complained of European meddling aimed at undercutting the Kremlin’s influence in the former Soviet Union", predicts the New York Times.