MOLDOVA4EU DIASPORA TASK FORCE - November 6, 2025 „Moldova defends democracy”

The Vienna Dialogue 2025 "Moldova Defends Democracy: How Moldova protected its 2025 elections despite €350 million in interference" exceeded all expectations, bringing together 57 participants including 6 ambassadors (current and former)[1] to examine Moldova's successful defense against unprecedented russian hybrid warfare. While 57 participants signed the attendance list, we are aware that at least four additional attendees did not register their names on-site.

In addition, five individuals informed us the evening before the event that they were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. Altogether, this means that the event attendance exceeded the initially planned number of participants (45 - to 50 max), thus, the event's remarkable turnout demonstrated the Austria based community's keen interest in learning from Moldova's democratic resilience.

The dialogue successfully shifted the European conversation from "protecting Moldova" to "learning from Moldova" as a model of frontline democratic defense. Through keynote addresses, data-driven analysis, and firsthand accounts from journalists and civil society leaders, participants gained concrete insights into how a small nation can withstand massive external interference while strengthening its democratic institutions.

The dialogue attracted a powerful cross-section of Austrian stakeholders, including:

· Government & policy: Representatives from the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA) and the Federal Chancellery, indicating high-level diplomatic and policy relevance.

· Think Tanks & academia: Experts from the Institute for the Danube Region (IDM) and the Central European University (CEU), ensuring the insights inform regional academic and policy research.

· Civil Society & NGOs: Leaders from the Disinfo Network, the European Center for Freedom and Independence, and the Erste Foundation, connecting the dialogue to specialists and philanthropies actively working on democratic resilience.

· Technology & media: Professionals from the Austrian Institute of Technology and Media, a crucial sector in the fight against disinformation.

The way forward: A call for continued partnership

The success of the Moldova Defends Democracy 2025 event underscores the critical importance of continuing and deepening the partnership between Austria and Moldova. The way forward should be guided by the following principles:

Sustain the dialogue: The overwhelming interest in this event highlights a clear demand for such platforms, especially that this is the 3rd edition of such events organized in Vienna by the Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force[2]. Continuing to host these dialogues in Vienna solidifies Austria’s position as a central hub for strategic conversations on Eastern Partnership security and EU integration.

Moldova’s experience is a "Democracy Shield" in practice: As Mr. Moritz Ehrmann of the BMEIA astutely noted, the lessons from Moldova should inspire the EU’s efforts to develop a "democracy shield." The event provided a real-world case study of such a shield in action, showcasing the synergy between institutional resolve, civil society vigilance, and international partnership.

Empower Diaspora-Led initiatives and consider Diaspora as a strategic asset: The Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force has proven to be an effective and professional partner. Providing continued support for such diaspora-led initiatives is a strategic imperative. Such diaspora groups act as a vital bridge, translating complex policy into tangible public diplomacy and fostering the people-to-people connections that are crucial for building trust and dispelling disinformation. They are powerful and credible partner for public diplomacy and resilience-building. As Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith powerfully stated in her keynote address, the diaspora has played a "quite an important role in keeping Moldova on the path to the EU." Supporting diaspora-led initiatives like this one by the Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force, is a high-impact investment in strengthening both Moldova’s European path and Austria’s role as a key partner.

Invest in knowledge transfer: The dialogue demonstrated that Moldova has invaluable expertise to share. The next phase of partnership should focus on structured, thematic and hands on knowledge transfer, where Moldovan experts can help train and inform their counterparts in Austria and other EU member states on the practical realities of countering hybrid warfare. The breadth of participant interest suggests significant potential for expanding this dialogue series. Drawing from their feedback, the following preliminary thematic areas offer the greatest strategic value for future events, while diversifying the formats:

- Showcase concrete examples of progress by sector (e.g., justice reform, energy, education). Include experts directly involved in the reforms and EU representatives to reflect on best practices.

- Specific topics: Enlargement-related issues; Democracy consolidation; Election integrity; Gender equality.

- Discuss strategies for faster adoption of EU legislation, particularly in areas like anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing;

- Analysis of pro-russian agents of influence and academic collaborators;

- Practical tools and techniques for countering disinformation within diaspora communities; Include institutional perspectives from the frontlines, such as representatives from the Police, Prosecutor's Office, or national cyber warfare agencies;

- Explore future governance models, with a specific request to discuss federalism;

- Analyze Moldova's geopolitical context and its relations with neighboring countries.

A new framework for the Transnistria question: Although not discussed during the event, the dialogue should continue by bringing a new lens through which to view the Transnistrian case. Moldova’s proven ability to function as a resilient democracy suggests that its EU accession should not be held hostage by a frozen conflict.

[1] Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith (former US Ambassador to Moldova); Ambassador Victor Guzun (former Moldovan Ambassador to Estonia); Ambassador Peter Michalko, Former EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova; Thomas M. Buchsbaum Ambassador (ret.), David Dondua, former Ambassador of Georgia to Austria; Victoria Rosa, current Moldovan Ambassador to Austria.

[2] Learn about 2023 and 2024 editions here: https://www.diasporamoldova4.eu/about/our-events

Find the social media post event and presentations here!

ViennaMoldova_Defends_DemocracyReport.pdf

Moldova Defends Democracy Vienna 2025 - Event REPORT

November 6, 2025 - Vienna

„Moldova defends democracy”

How Moldova protected its 2025 elections despite €350 million in interference

Moldova's experience proves that democracy can defend itself against even the most sophisticated hybrid threats. Join us to learn and reflect about how these strategies can strengthen European resilience during these complicated times.

This high-level strategic event will bring together Moldovan and Austria based stakeholders to reflect on Moldova’s successful defense of its September 28, 2025, Parliamentary elections, despite an unprecedented russian disinformation and interference campaign worth an estimated €350 million.

Building on Moldova4EU’s previous dialogues, this event will demonstrate how Moldova, with support from civil society, independent institutions, diaspora, and international partners, not only withstood hybrid warfare but reinforced its democratic path and European integration agenda and ensured regional security.

With a keynote by former Pamela Hyde Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova (2001-2003), expert presentations from Moldovan experts and practitioners, and an interactive discussions, the Vienna Dialogue 2025 aims to shift the European conversation: from protecting Moldova to partnering with Moldova as a model of frontline democratic resilience.

This high-level event is organized by the Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force with the generous support of the Federal Ministry European and International Affairs Republic of Austria (BMEIA), in collaboration with the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and with the support of local expertise provided by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Republic of Moldova.

Context: Moldova’s parliamentary elections of 28 September 2025 unfolded in a climate of intense external pressure and hybrid interference. Independent investigations and official statements reveal that the kremlin allocated vast resources, estimated at €150–200 million, or roughly 1% of Moldova’s GDP, to sway the outcome of the vote. These funds were funneled through illicit networks, including cryptocurrency channels, and used to bankroll pro-russian parties, finance large-scale vote-buying schemes, sustain disinformation campaigns, and orchestrate provocations aimed at destabilizing the electoral process.

While the exact figures vary, with some reports suggesting even higher amounts such as €350 million, all credible sources point to unprecedented foreign spending in Moldova’s democratic process. The scale of this interference underscores both the strategic importance of Moldova for russia and the resilience of Moldovan institutions and society in the face of external pressure. The elections took place against the backdrop of the country’s fragile geopolitical position, its EU accession path, and ongoing russian attempts to weaken regional stability.

Despite these massive challenges, Moldovans defended their democratic choice.

The pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), founded by President Maia Sandu, secured ≈ 50.2% of the vote and 55 out of 101 seats, retaining an outright majority. By contrast, the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, backed by moscow, won ≈ 24.2% and 26 seats. Smaller parties—the Alternative Bloc (8 seats), Our Party (6 seats), and Democracy at Home (6 seats)—also entered parliament. Turnout reached ≈ 52.2%.

In the face of vast external spending, Moldovans secured their country’s European path through civic courage and determination. The struggle is not over: the kremlin’s propaganda machine will persist, and Moldova’s resilience remains closely tied to Ukraine’s capacity to resist and ultimately break russian aggression.

This is why the Vienna Dialogue 2025 will focus on exchanging know-how, strengthening partnerships, and building collective strategies to defend democracy in Moldova and in the region.

Event Agenda

8:30 - 9:00 - Registration and welcoming coffee

9:00-9:15 Welcoming remarks and official opening of the dialogue by Veronica Cretu, Public Policy expert, co-founder of Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force.

9:15-9:30 Welcome address: Mr. Moritz Ehrmann, head of the Division for Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus at the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

9:30-9:45 Welcome address: Mrs Victoria Roșa, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of Austria and Slovak Republic, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova to the OSCE.

9:45-10:00 Keynote Address: Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith

Ambassador Smith will reflect on Moldova’s democratic journey, recalling her early 2000s experience engaging with a communist government and helping steer the country toward Europe. She will highlight how diplomacy, persistence, and principled engagement can strengthen democracy against russian influence and ongoing geopolitical pressures.

10:00-10:20 EaP Index 2025 Moldova & Institutional Response

How the EaP Index captures Moldova's democratic progress amid hybrid threats, with institutional responses to documented challenges: presentation of the EaP Index 2025 Moldova findings, Alexandra Sabou, Advocacy & EaP Index Manager, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: EaP Index 2025 methodology and Moldova-specific findings; How hybrid warfare impacts measurable democratic indicators; Comparative insights for other Eastern Partnership countries.

Q&A session

10:20-10:50 Fireside Chat: Natalia Corobca-Ianusevici, Project Manager, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Republic of Moldova in dialogue with Vadim Pistrinciuc, Director, Institute for Public Policy (IPIS)

Q&A session

10:50 -11:15 Coffee break & networking

11:15 - 12:15 Media and Civil Society on the frontlines

Inside story of the undercover investigation that exposed russian digital armies, vote-buying schemes, and disinformation networks during Moldova's 2024 referendum and 2025 parliamentary elections. How investigative journalism works to defend democracy in real-time, Mariuța Nistor, Journalist with Ziarul de Gardă, Independent media representative
The role of civil society in defending democracy and countering disinformation campaigns, Mihail Sirkeli, Nokta (Founder), Gagauzia

Q&A session

12:15 - 13:15 Diaspora Engagement

Victor Guzun, Digital Policy Expert, Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE): Lessons from Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary elections: enhancing societal resilience through the lens of the diaspora
Diaspora engagement models for sustained democracy support and contributions to democracy protection, Veronica Cretu and Natalia Cucoș, co-founders, Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force

Q&A session

13:15 - 13:30 Closing remarks and reflections by participants

13:30 - 14:30 Networking lunch

MoldovaDefendsDemocracy_EventInvitation_Agenda.pdf

Logistical Details

📍 The meeting venue is in the immediate proximity to the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs but the exact location will be communicated closer to the event and only to the registered and confirmed participants.

📝 Registration: As participation is limited to a maximum of 45-50 participants, we kindly encourage early registration.

Please complete the following Registration Form to 🎟️ secure your seat: https://forms.gle/uauwMpiCAzwXPd779