(SOCIO) Socio-Economic Decline & Public Hardship

This cluster revolves around narratives portraying Moldova as a country in deep socio-economic collapse under PAS and Maia Sandu. The messaging emphasizes poverty, unemployment, mass emigration, rising energy tariffs, and the decay of public services such as education and healthcare. PAS is framed as corrupt, incompetent, and indifferent, with citizens depicted as abandoned to hunger, cold, and despair while leaders enrich themselves and stage propaganda events.

A strong strand focuses on agriculture and rural decline: farmers are shown as ruined, villages emptying, schools and preschools closing, and traditional livelihoods being destroyed while imports from the EU are allegedly prioritized. Another common storyline blames PAS for demographic decline, with youth forced to emigrate and birthrates falling, leaving Moldova a “country without people.” Narratives also accuse the government of systemic corruption—stealing public money, raising taxes, mismanaging loans, and exploiting citizens through artificially inflated utility bills.

Foreign actors are instrumentalized to amplify these grievances. EU loans are framed as debt traps that will bankrupt future generations, while Romania and European leaders are accused of exploiting Moldova’s resources or hiding the country’s poverty during official visits. In this framing, European integration is equated with colonization, with Moldova depicted as a dumping ground for European goods and a laboratory for failed reforms, deepening the sense of national decline and betrayal.

(DEMO) Democratic Backsliding & Authoritarianism

This cluster revolves around claims that PAS and Maia Sandu have usurped power, dismantled democratic institutions, and replaced them with an authoritarian system. Narratives allege that Moldova has become a dictatorship where dissent is silenced, opposition parties are neutralized, and elections are manipulated to guarantee PAS victories. The Constitutional Court, CEC, and judiciary are depicted as fully captured tools of PAS, enforcing selective justice, silencing critics, and persecuting opponents. Sandu is frequently compared to Plahotniuc or foreign “puppets,” portrayed as consolidating personal control through censorship, illegal laws, and the systematic suppression of independent voices.

The police and security forces are central in these narratives, accused of acting as PAS’s private militia to attack peaceful protests, intimidate citizens, and ban opposition gatherings. Disinformation frames Moldova as a “prison state,” where TikTok, Telegram, and independent TV channels are blocked to prevent free speech, while critical journalists, lawyers, and civic activists face persecution. Narratives also highlight alleged corruption and hypocrisy: public funds are said to be redirected toward loyal media, fake NGOs, and intimidation campaigns, while ordinary citizens face fines, poverty, and fear. Overall, this cluster portrays Moldova under PAS as suffering from systemic repression, destroyed democracy, and authoritarian consolidation disguised as European integration.

(SOV) Sovereignty & Geopolitical Influence

This cluster is dominated by disinformation framing Moldova’s pro-European course as a betrayal of national sovereignty and submission to foreign powers. Narratives depict the EU, NATO, Romania, and Western leaders (Macron, von der Leyen, Soros, U.S. officials) as controlling Moldova’s politics, economy, and culture through loans, “curators,” and external directives. European integration is portrayed not as an opportunity, but as colonization: Moldova is allegedly turned into an EU dumping ground, a source of cheap labor, and a NATO outpost, while citizens inherit massive debt. Romania in particular is framed as exploiting Moldova economically, selling overpriced gas and treating Moldovans as its diaspora.

Another strong thread is the cultural and values dimension: disinformation claims the EU forces Moldova to abandon traditions, language, and Orthodoxy in exchange for aid, replacing them with LGBT propaganda and “foreign values.” Sandu and PAS are accused of destroying the Russian language, removing Pushkin monuments, attacking the church, and promoting a Western agenda disconnected from Moldovan identity. Sovereignty is further undermined by narratives of election interference: EU delegations allegedly fund PAS campaigns, foreign leaders openly back Sandu, and even Moldovan state assets (Giurgiulești port, Energocom) are said to be sold to NATO or Romania. Altogether, these narratives paint Moldova as a powerless pawn in a geopolitical game, whose future is dictated abroad rather than decided by its people.

(INFOMAN) Fake & Manipulative Narratives

This cluster revolves around manipulative, defamatory, and fabricated content targeting Maia Sandu, PAS, and pro-European actors. It includes conspiracy theories, AI-generated deepfakes, satirical distortions, pseudo-scientific claims, and sensational scandals designed to ridicule or delegitimize leadership. Narratives portray Sandu as mentally ill, morally corrupt, or personally implicated in child trafficking, billion-dollar thefts, or bizarre scandals such as buying biomaterial or being involved in sexual relationships with foreign leaders. PAS is framed as a criminal sect tied to human trafficking, organized crime, and repression, while fabricated polls and pseudo-expert analyses suggest electoral collapse despite evidence to the contrary.

A major strand in this cluster exploits AI-generated videos, memes, and false “investigations” to create provocative visual disinformation: Sandu shown with Macron or Usatîi, compared to demons or animals, presented as a stripper, or mocked through football defeats. Other manipulative techniques include fabricated polls, false screenshots, and pseudo-scientific narratives (Moldovan vs. Romanian language, rebirth of fascism in history textbooks) meant to sow confusion.

(ELEC) Electoral Fraud & Manipulation

This cluster revolves around claims that elections in Moldova under PAS and Maia Sandu are fundamentally illegitimate, manipulated, or already decided in advance. Disinformation narratives allege systemic fraud: ballot stuffing, votes from deceased citizens, manipulated voter lists, and falsified diaspora votes (especially in Russia). The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) is consistently portrayed as captured by PAS, blocking opposition candidates, reducing polling stations in Transnistria and Russia, and opening unnecessary ones in Western Europe where PAS allegedly has more support.

A recurrent strand frames pre-election economic measures (like lowering electricity or utility bills, subsidies for farmers, or selective aid programs) as “electoral bribes” meant to buy votes. Parallel narratives accuse PAS of abusing administrative resources: using police, courts, and censorship to suppress opposition, intimidate mayors, and restrict campaign activity.

Foreign actors are weaponized: the EU and Romania are framed as funding PAS’s campaign, using diaspora votes for manipulation, and interfering in Moldova’s elections. U.S. and EU aid are depicted as tools for electoral fraud, while Romania’s institutions (like CNA) are accused of censoring opposition candidates. AI-generated satire and manipulated polls further amplify distrust, suggesting winners are chosen before voting begins and that PAS will cancel or annul results if it risks losing.

Overall, this cluster seeks to delegitimize the entire electoral process, portraying Moldova as a country without free and fair elections where PAS survives only through fraud, intimidation, and foreign backing.

(WAR) War and Security Threats

This cluster portrays PAS and Maia Sandu as pushing Moldova into war by aligning the country with NATO and Ukraine. Disinformation narratives depict Moldova as losing its neutrality and sovereignty, becoming a NATO outpost and battlefield for Western interests.

A central storyline alleges that Sandu is preparing to send Moldovan soldiers to Ukraine or other NATO missions, with claims of forced mobilization of youth, mercenary recruitment, and even deaths of Moldovan soldiers hidden by authorities. Hospital beds, infrastructure, and enterprises are said to be diverted to military purposes, while vineyards and land are allegedly destroyed to build NATO bases. These narratives frame PAS as sacrificing Moldovan lives for foreign wars in exchange for EU or NATO benefits.

Another recurring theme is that Moldova will “follow Ukraine’s path,” being dragged into conflict with Russia or Transnistria. NATO and Western powers are accused of preparing provocations, buying Moldovan enterprises for war production, and installing bases and weapons testing grounds. PAS leaders are portrayed as hypocritical and detached, allegedly ready to flee if war breaks out, while ordinary Moldovans are forced to fight.

Overall, this cluster amplifies fear of militarization, foreign occupation, and war. It frames PAS and Sandu as reckless actors destroying Moldova’s neutrality and peace, turning the country into “the next Ukraine” and a pawn in NATO and EU geopolitical games.

(GAG) Gagauzia and the Guțul Case

This cluster focuses on Evghenia Guțul, the Bashkan of Gagauzia, framing her legal troubles as politically motivated persecution by PAS and Maia Sandu. Disinformation narratives depict Guțul as a victim of injustice and a “symbol of freedom,” while PAS is accused of fabricating charges, intimidating Gagauzia, and suppressing regional autonomy.

Central storylines allege that Guțul was sentenced on Sandu’s direct orders in a trial lasting only minutes, with claims of political execution, fabricated evidence, and violations of fair trial rights. Narratives emphasize double standards, suggesting “thieves are free while innocents are imprisoned,” and frame Guțul’s detention as proof that Moldovan justice under PAS is corrupt and controlled.

The Gagauzia issue is instrumentalized to highlight broader themes of regional repression and resistance. Claims suggest that Brussels, the EU, and even the UN demanded Guțul’s release, with some narratives warning that her case could delay Moldova’s EU accession. Protest slogans like “Freedom for Guțul” and photo montages (e.g., Sandu and Guțul behind bars) are used to dramatize the narrative.

(CIB) Coordinated inauthentic behavior

Vietnamese bot networks linked to the Moldavian Calendar Facebook and Instagram accounts were used to artificially amplify pro-Kremlin narratives and support Ilan Shor’s political agenda. The assets posed as independent news sources while smearing PAS and Maia Sandu, building large inauthentic followings (31,500 on Facebook and 29,100 on Instagram) with bot accounts primarily from Vietnam, Thailand, and Russia.

The content aligned with Shor’s political movement, portraying PAS and Sandu as corrupt puppets of the West undermining Moldova’s sovereignty. Manipulative tactics included paid ads, fake “news” branding, and networks of inauthentic accounts to create false legitimacy and reach Moldovan audiences.

Thanks to our partners GLOBSEC for flagging this case.