Statement from JEF Malta on the Moldova EU Referendum and Georgia Parliamentary Elections:
On the 20th of October, the Moldovan people went to the polls to vote on a referendum asking whether they support embedding strategic aims to become a part of the EU into their constitution. The votes in favour won by a slight majority of 50.4%, following a massive anti-EU campaign conducted by Russian proxies with Moscow’s support, and a slight advantage to the ‘no’ vote during most of the counting process. The votes from Moldovans living abroad ended up being a decisive factor in the referendum’s outcome. Russia continues to present itself as a destabilising actor and a threat to the self-determination of the peoples of Europe, on their right to choose their own future. JEF Malta looks forward to the continuation of Moldova’s accession process, and is eagerly anticipating welcoming the Moldovan people to the European family.
On 27th October, Georgia held parliamentary elections which unfortunately ended up with results clouded by suspicion of unfair competition and undemocratic behaviour by the ruling party. JEF Malta condemns the declarations made by the ruling party on the intention of banning the opposition parties and barring their Members of Parliament from taking up their seats if it received a significant enough majority. JEF Malta regrets to see Georgia’s European prospects being shattered by the current government and in turn distancing the country further from the European Union.
JEF Malta continues to advocate for the integration and accession of both Moldova and Georgia as we continue to expand our faith in the European project.