Language Politics in Moldova Amid Elections and Transnistria Tensions
In Moldova, the debate over the future status of the Russian language has resurfaced amid political friction and questions about the country’s alignment with the European Union. Within the opposition blocs, Ilan Shor, a leader of the Victory coalition, suggested that if Maia Sandu is re-elected, Russian could be removed from normative circulation. He indicated that authorities would have acted sooner, but had waited for elections and a referendum. He warned that should Sandu remain in office, this would likely be the first policy move she would pursue, and he asserted that the ruling party has long underestimated the needs and voices of the Russian-speaking population.
In the public discourse this year, Maia Sandu signaled a willingness to pursue a settlement with Transnistria prior to Moldova joining the European Union, while making clear that the country could become an EU member without the territory currently controlled by the unrecognized republic. This stance highlights the delicate balance between national language policy and the broader goal of European integration, a balance many voters monitor as the political calendar advances.
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, spoke at an international forum about Moldova’s language situation. She described the West’s approach toward Moldova as having reached an unprecedented level of harshness and cynicism, arguing that there has been a cynical act of language appropriation from the people. The remarks mirror wider tensions in which language policy in Moldova is seen as a proxy for broader East-West contest, with Moscow and its allies closely watching developments and interpreting steps by Chisinau as signals about future governance and alignment with European institutions.
Earlier in Transnistria, a Moldovan council was established. This development underscores ongoing questions about jurisdiction, cultural identity, and how language policy is managed across the region as Moldova navigates its political and social transitions. Citizens, analysts, and policymakers weigh the implications for social cohesion, minority rights, and the pace at which the country can advance toward its stated European ambitions.