The Rest Is Politics: Leading 170. President of Moldova, Maia Sandu: Holding the Line Between Democracy and Putin
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Jan 12, 2026 
Maia Sandu, the pro-EU President of Moldova, shares her journey from civil servant to national leader, focused on anti-corruption and democratic reform. She discusses the challenge of countering Russian disinformation and the strategic importance of Moldova against a backdrop of regional conflict. Sandu highlights the impact of oligarchs on governance, the necessity of integrity in leadership, and explores Moldova's aspirations for EU membership despite frozen conflicts. With a call for resilience in politics, she beautifully pitches her country as a hidden gem for tourism.
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Hybrid War During Elections
- Sandu describes intense hybrid attacks during elections: bribery, cyber attacks, paid protests and disinformation.
- She frames these as part of a broader Russian strategy to discredit institutions and intimidate voters.
Centralise Anti-Financing Efforts
- Coordinate anti-illicit-funding efforts with a central strategic unit linking intelligence, tax, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption bodies.
- Act quickly during campaigns and tighten laws so judges can investigate illicit financing within days, not years.
Attacking Results To Erode Trust
- Sandu highlights that tampering with electronic reporting can discredit paper-based results by seeding doubt.
- She warns hybrid interference aims not only to change votes but to erode trust in institutions and outcomes.