Launch of the Report “Mapping the Premises and Incentives for Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in the Electoral Context of the Republic of Moldova”
The Republic of Moldova continues to face vulnerabilities to information manipulation and external interference, despite notable legislative and institutional progress in recent years. This is the main conclusion of the analytical report “Mapping the Premises and Incentives for Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in the Electoral Context of the Republic of Moldova,” developed by the Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT) in partnership with International IDEA.
The Republic of Moldova is undergoing a complex stage of democratic consolidation, where institutional reforms and European integration efforts coexist with persistent internal vulnerabilities. In this context, the report “Mapping the Enablers and Incentives for FIMI in the Electoral Context of the Republic of Moldova,” developed by the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT with the support of International IDEA and Global Affairs Canada, examines a set of 16 enablers and 6 incentives that shape the country’s informational and electoral ecosystem vulnerability to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), applying International IDEA’s methodology for mapping the factors affecting the integrity of democratic processes.
The analysis highlights that while Moldova has a relatively robust legal and institutional framework — including modern electoral regulations, a strengthened system for overseeing political financing, and significant transparency efforts — the enforcement of laws remains uneven, and public trust in institutions is low. This combination of progress and fragility creates a fertile ground for hostile actors to exploit internal vulnerabilities, particularly during electoral periods when disinformation campaigns become more aggressive.
Institutions and Public Trust
Moldova’s democratic institutions operate in a complex environment marked by European integration efforts and persistent structural vulnerabilities. The country has made tangible progress in aligning with EU standards and strengthening its legal framework — including through the new Electoral Code and the establishment of inter-institutional mechanisms to counter foreign interference. However, the uneven enforcement of laws, limited institutional capacity, politicization, fragile political parties, and persistent perceptions of impunity continue to undermine public trust and the state’s ability to respond coherently to foreign interference. The country’s EU candidate status has accelerated reforms and transparency, yet these systemic weaknesses remain a key factor shaping Moldova’s exposure to external influence.
Public Discourse and Polarization
Public discourse in Moldova is deeply polarized along geopolitical and identity lines. Pro-Kremlin narratives exploit fears of war, economic uncertainty, and nostalgia toward Russia, reinforcing divisions between pro-European and pro-Eastern orientations. Controversies over national identity, language, and historical memory are often politically instrumentalized. Conspiratorial populism and appeals to “traditional values” further deepen fragmentation. Although the legal framework has been improved to curb hate speech and disinformation, public debate remains vulnerable to external manipulation.
Political Financing
Despite stricter rules on party and campaign financing, major gaps persist that enable external influence. Non-transparent financial flows, including the use of cryptocurrencies and undeclared payments continue to fund political and media actors linked to foreign interests. Online campaign financing remains poorly regulated, while digital political advertising lacks transparency. The involvement of third-party actors using undeclared resources to promote candidates undermines equal competition and electoral integrity.
Media Landscape
Moldova’s media landscape is largely pluralistic, though several outlets, including the regional public broadcaster in Gagauzia autonomy, are heavily influenced by political and economic interests. Despite legal guarantees for press freedom, some media institutions remain controlled by interest groups, and ownership transparency in the online and print sectors remains weak. The suspension of licenses for Kremlin-affiliated broadcasters reduced audiovisual disinformation but led to the migration of such content to alternative online platforms. Dependence on external funding and inconsistent journalistic standards fuel partisan content and weaken the media’s role as a guarantor of accurate public information.
Digital Environment and Social Media
The online space in Moldova is fragmented and weakly regulated. The audience is divided into linguistic and ideological “information bubbles,” reducing dialogue across groups and amplifying propaganda. Social media and messaging apps, such as Telegram and Viber, often serve as closed ecosystems where unverified or manipulative content spreads unchecked. The lack of algorithmic transparency and regulation of digital platforms, combined with opaque political advertising, allows for the coordinated dissemination of disinformation. At the same time, declining trust in traditional media pushes more citizens toward informal sources, increasing exposure to manipulative narratives.
Proxy Actors and Interference
Domestic proxy actors, including politicians, business figures, media owners, religious leaders, and influencers aligned with Russian interests, play a central role in spreading foreign interference. They amplify hostile narratives, coordinate disinformation campaigns, and mobilize voters through informal networks and hidden financial channels. While Moldovan authorities have begun investigating these networks and improving institutional coordination, responses are often delayed, and the lack of final convictions perpetuates the perception of impunity.
Conclusion
ADEPT’s analysis underscores that Moldova’s institutional, media, economic, and social vulnerabilities collectively create an environment conducive to information manipulation and foreign interference. Strengthening democratic resilience requires coordinated actions and the consistent enforcement of existing laws.
The Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT) is an independent policy research and analysis center focusing on political, electoral, and socio-economic developments in Moldova and the wider region. Its mission is to promote democratic values and support active citizen participation in public life. Since its establishment in 2000, ADEPT has been at the forefront of efforts to advance good governance, electoral integrity, and civic engagement through research, advocacy, and public information. Since 2018, ADEPT has served as the Secretariat of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC) — a platform uniting civil society organizations to ensure transparency, inclusion, and integrity in Moldova’s electoral processes.
https://adept.md/en/activities/article/moldova-rmne-vulnerabil-la-manipulare-i-ingerine-informaionale