Moldova goes to the polls (CNN)

[Lexingtonian]

CHISINAU, Moldova (Reuters) -- Ex-Soviet Moldova has began choosing an assembly in an election marked by a split between the ruling Communists and Russia and a broad consensus to move one of Europe's poorest countries closer to the West.

The Communist party, led by President Vladimir Voronin, now controls 71 of parliament's 101 seats and is far in front in opinion polls with up to 60 percent support.

Voronin, who came to power four years ago promising to boost ties with Moscow, now says the Kremlin threatens Moldova by supporting Russian-speaking separatists in its Dnestr region.

Russia has watched with alarm as Voronin has forged links with leaders of Ukraine and Georgia, both resolved to move out of Moscow's shadow and into the European mainstream.

Opposition parties say the Communists lack democratic credentials and are bent on rigging the poll.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/03/06/molodova.russia.reut/

The situation in Moldava looks different from those in other post-Soviet countries in its particulars but a controversial election outcome seems possible. Something to keep an eye on.

[MrModerate]

1. There's also the Romanian factor in this election

Moldova was a part of Romania for (as I recall) a hundred years or so prior to WWII. Ethnically, the Moldovans are pretty close to Romanians, and one of the ways that the Russophiles there have alienated the population is by letting their militias close down Romanian-language schools through threats of violence.

The new Romanian president Basescu has also pledged to be "a good friend" to Moldova, suggesting if there's any difficulties, the Moldovans can "turn to Romania first" for assistance.

This could get very interesting.