Russian election triggers row with Moldova over voting in separatist region

In a diplomatic dispute, Russia's parliamentary election has sparked controversy with Moldova over the Kremlin's decision to open 15 polling stations for Russian citizens in the separatist Transnistria region. Moscow claims that 220,000 residents of pro-Russian Transnistria, a region that broke away from Moldova in 1990 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, are eligible to vote on Sunday in the election for the State Duma.

Conversely, Moldova's Western-leaning government, which aims to join the European Union by 2030 and condemns Russia's actions in Ukraine, argues that Russians should only be able to vote at a single polling station located in the Russian embassy in the capital, Chisinau. Moldovan authorities have vehemently rejected the Kremlin's plan, branding it as "unacceptable" and "hostile," and have summoned the Russian ambassador to their foreign ministry to express their displeasure.

In response, the Russian foreign ministry has urged Moldova to drop its objections and stop actions that they claim run counter to democracy, international law, and common sense. Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi has demanded that Moscow refrain from interfering with Moldova's efforts to peacefully reintegrate the breakaway territory.

In the 2021 Russian parliamentary election, authorities in Moscow set up 27 polling stations in the region, with over 59,000 voters casting ballots, 76.2% of whom supported United Russia, the party backing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Transnistria is not officially recognized by any nation, including Russia, although a Russian military contingent of around 1,500 troops continues to operate there, despite Moldova's requests for their withdrawal.