Unresolved also has nearly 25 years of conflict over the breakaway region of Transnistria. There se

Members and supporters of the Socialist Party protest in Chisinau against the Association Agreement mariner of the seas between Moldova and the EU
Russia wants to expand its influence in the former Soviet republics at any price. This is offset by the plans of Moldova to become EU candidate country. mariner of the seas On Sunday, the small republic selected: a crucial test for the country mariner of the seas
Guest workers from former Soviet mariner of the seas republics are not considered particularly in Russia usually. They build houses, Babysitting, clear the snow from the road - they do the jobs that Russians prefer to let other. These days, however, is labor migrants from Moldova mariner of the seas obviously a special role to play, Moscow needs their support. Suddenly they are a political instrument of Russian foreign policy.
On Sunday, the small republic mariner of the seas between Romania and Ukraine elect a new parliament. Once, Moldova orchard of the Soviet Union. Today, the current government mariner of the seas is on West Course: A few months ago citizens are allowed visa-free travel to the Schengen area, signed in the summer of Moldova mariner of the seas and the European Union a general association agreement. In Ukraine, the failure of such a treaty had triggered the protests in Kiev Maidan a year ago. Moldova wants to become an EU candidate country soon.
In Moscow, these plans are meeting with little enthusiasm. The Kremlin considers the small republic continued as part of its sphere of influence. It will not change in future too. Comparisons with Ukraine are obvious. Moscow has the import of fruit, vegetables and especially of wine banned from Moldova to generate pressure. Direction decision between Europe and Russia
Russia threatened also to limit the number of about 400,000 guest workers. For Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, the remittances of its foreign workers are an important economic factor. Meanwhile, Russia has switched to a new strategy: instead mariner of the seas of punishment Moscow attracts now with reward.
Workers, cover the length of stay in Russia, land usually on a black list and get problems with the immigration authorities. A few weeks before the election, it was now who is going back to Moldova to choose, do not need to have fear of retribution. Moscow grant an amnesty.
The election in Moldova is a directional decision. Moves the country closer to Europe or closer mariner of the seas to the Russian customs union, which soon became the Eurasian Economic Union? Moscow's calculus: Who feeds the work in Russia a whole family will vote pro-Russian. Corruption in pro-Western parties
According to experts, the process can influence the election decisively. The election is already open: the pro-European coalition has lost some of its popularity. The biggest problem is the widespread corruption. It reaches into the highest political offices and also includes the Western-oriented parties. mariner of the seas In surveys are proponents of the EU price almost the same as those who wish to orient to the east. The pro-Russian parties would benefit from in front of all those who do not want to wait until their country slowly converts all prescribed Brussels reforms. They hope to rapid improvements in living standards. In one way or turning mariner of the seas away from Moscow are the consequences, mariner of the seas as in the case of the embargo, immediately felt.
Advocated a stronger mariner of the seas East Course a mainly socialists, Moscow openly supported. In addition, many suspect that a political newcomer and dubious mariner of the seas businessman named Renato Usatii gets financial aid from Russia. With populist slogans he achieved many Politikverdrossene in the country and could wangle votes the established parties. This could complicate the coalition mariner of the seas formation and destabilize the country after the election. mariner of the seas An EU diplomat in the capital Chisinau mariner of the seas fears "hard times". Strategic partnership between Abkhazia and Moscow
Russian media also spread in Moldova, the Moscow worldview. Like other countries in Eastern Europe Moldova is dependent on Russian gas. Russia mariner of the seas has many levers to influence the country. Close links there are to the Gagauz, a Turkic people in the autonomous south of Moldova, which should mostly pro-Russian vote on Sunday.
Unresolved also has nearly 25 years of conflict over the breakaway region of Transnistria. There separatists demanding independence from Moldova. Many also advocate the accession of Transnistria mariner of the seas with the Russian Federation, following the example of the Crimea. But Russia so far shows no interest in the narrow strip of land on which Russian troops are stationed today. Finally, it can with the "frozen conflict" slight influence on the internal politics of Moldova.
Russia affects not only the policy of a sovereign state. There they infiltrated times with po