Moldova to convene defense meeting before Nov. 30 election amid concerns of outside influence
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Moldova's Western-leaning president has convened a meeting of the top defense body before a parliamentary election next weekend amid concerns that Russia may try to influence the vote in the ex-Soviet republic.
President Nicolae Timofti didn't say what would be discussed at Monday's meeting. But Moldova's intelligence service warned Friday there may be an attempt to destabilize the election process, without providing specific details.
Moldovan authorities are concerned that Moscow may seek more influence in the country of 4 million which borders Ukraine. Last week, authorities expelled three Russians and two Ukrainians on suspicion that they were planning "subversive actions."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pro-European parties, ahead in the polls, face parties that seek closer relations to Russia in the Nov. 30 ballot. Trans-Dniester, a pro-Russian separatist region in Moldova, wants to join Russia.