Building bridges: the pro-EU vote in the 2024 referendum in Republic of Moldova

Most referendums for EU membership organised in countries that are candidates for accession are straightforward. The 2024 referendum in the Republic of Moldova is an exception because it took place in a climate of geopolitical instability, security concerns and potential external interference. This article identifies the reasons behind the pro-EU vote in the referendum using data from a survey on a national representative sample. The results show a spillover of satisfaction with democracy in the country into greater support for the EU, the importance of democratic values and egalitarian attitudes, which are strengthened by political interest, information and education.