DISINFO: The USA conditions Maia Sandu's victory
SUMMARY
The main condition set by the United States for Maia Sandu’s victory in the second round is allowing Plahotniuc’s return to Moldova.
RESPONSE
The article's narrative that the USA is controlling the electoral processes in Moldova is disinformation.
There is no evidence to confirm the claim that the US has set a condition for Maia Sandu's victory. Earlier, the US Ambassador to Moldova Derek Hogan said that Regardless of what choice the Moldovan people make on Election Day, "the United States will remain a faithful partner to the Moldovan people and this country’s sovereign right to choose its own path."
As for Vladimir Plahotniuc, Moldova's fugitive oligarch, earlier this year Moldovan prosecutors have charged him for his role in a massive bank theft. Plahotniuc fled Moldova in June 2019 after being forced from parliament as part of a government shakeup brokered by Russia, the United States, and other European partners. According to the press, for a while, he was in Miami, USA, where he also has business. At the end of September 2020, Plahotniuc has been located in Turkey.
The second round of presidential elections will take place in Moldova on 15 November 2020 and will see Maia Sandu face off current president Igor Dodon.
See more cases targetting the Presidential elections in Moldova here.