Share :

Download PDF :

The New Statesman (23 October 2024)

Wolfgang Münchau

The Union’s failures over Ukraine have damaged its reputation in eastern Europe.

If you thought the Brexit referendum was a knife-edge vote, spare a thought for the Moldovans. The country wedged between Romania and Ukraine held an EU referendum on 20 October, in which the Yes campaign won with 50.4 per cent against 49.6 per cent. This result is not the last word. Moldovans did not actually vote to join the EU – only to change their constitution to make that possible. The big referendum is yet to come.

Or maybe not. The result is a disaster for the EU and for Maia Sandu, Moldova’s pro-Europe president. She needed more support. The previous polls suggested a large majority in favour of EU membership. Sandu accused the Russians of meddling when the No campaign took a lead.

Click for more