(Pro)-Russian (dis)information in Moldova: eroding vertical trust in Sandu and the PAS government?

Maia Sandu's rise to power marked a decisive shift in Moldova towards pro-Western politics, moving away from the significant Russian influence that had persisted since the country's independence. This shift made Sandu and the government's policies a primary target of (dis)information campaigns aimed at undermining public trust in her presidency and the central government. This research addresses this issue by analysing the specific narratives and mechanisms of (pro)-Russian (dis)information in Moldova. Through qualitative content analysis of over 2,000 instances of (dis)information collected between December 2020 and October 2024, the study examines how these narratives are constructed, their impact on vertical trust and their broader implications for Moldovan democracy. The findings indicate that these (dis)information efforts are framed within a larger Russian-Western antagonism, exploiting Moldova's ethnic and linguistic divisions, historical ties with Russia, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. The study highlights that (dis)information campaigns not only aim to discredit political leaders and policies but also seek to destabilise the fundamental trust required for democratic governance. Furthermore, the article contributes to theoretical insights into the role of (dis)information in emerging democracies, demonstrating how it exacerbates fragile public trust already weakened by socio-economic crises.