Moldova Conference Tackles Political Finance Threats

Experts gather to address foreign interference and digital campaign vulnerabilities.

A high-level conference in Moldova is currently underway, addressing the escalating threats to democratic processes stemming from illicit political financing. Discussions are centered on how foreign actors and digital platforms are being exploited to undermine elections and public trust.

Opening Remarks

The conference began with keynote remarks examining the growing impact of money in politics, especially amidst geopolitical tensions and hybrid warfare. Speakers set the stage for discussions on how political finance is exploited to weaken democracies and how these threats can be countered through stronger oversight.

Keynote speakers include Angelica Caraman, Chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova, who is moderating the event; Máté Csicsai, Deputy Head of Mission, EU Delegation to Chisinau; Sunny Ahmed, Development Director, British Embassy; Sam van der Staak, Director for Europe, International Idea; Daniela Gasparikova, Resident Representative, UNDP Moldova; and Falk Lange, head of the Council of Europe in Chisinau.

Cross-Border Influence

The first session is dedicated to exploring how domestic and foreign actors influence campaigns through financial means, often using opaque funding channels. While foreign interference is a major concern, domestic political financiers also play a significant role.

Speakers in this session include Pavel Postica, Vice President of the Central Election Commission of Moldova; Diane Duggan, Head of Legal, Electoral Commission of Ireland; Andrii Yevstihnieiev, Member of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine; Pete Mills, Regulation Guidance Manager, UK Electoral Commission; and Veronika Bilkova, Vice-President of the Venice Commission. Alexander Shlyk from UNDP is moderating.

Digital Campaigning Oversight

A session is also being held to explore the challenges of voter manipulation and financial coercion, particularly in the digital realm. Participants are discussing how election management bodies (EMBs) can strengthen transparency in online political advertising. According to a 2023 report by the Brennan Center for Justice, disinformation campaigns are increasingly targeting election infrastructure Brennan Center for Justice.

Speakers include Lina Petroniene, Chair, Central Election Commission of Lithuania; Sam Power, IFES Expert, Lecturer in Politics, University of Bristol; Ajay Patel, United Nations Development Programme; Vladimir Misev, Senior election expert, Council of Europe; and Khushbu Agrawal, Advisor, International IDEA. Skye Christensen, Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP, is moderating.

Digital Political Finance

Finally, a session is examining the evolving landscape of online financial transactions in electoral campaigns, including the use of cryptocurrencies. Panelists are exploring how transparency can be strengthened, especially in light of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.

Speakers include Roman Porubin, Prosecutor, Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office; Yves-Marie Doublet, Expert of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), Council of Europe; Benjami Laeple, expert; Victor Tanase, Expert, Iri Moldova; and a representative from Septimius Expert Forum Romania. Alberto Fernandez Gibaja, Head of Programme, Digitalisation and Democracy, International IDEA, is moderating.