25.08.2025
The Promo-LEX Association strongly condemns the incident that occurred yesterday at a public event in Orhei, where a long-term observer of the Observation Mission was subjected to a direct public attack and intimidation by Alexei Lungu, leader of the Chance Party.
From the scene of the event, he resorted to insults and discreditation against our colleague, and later approached him, continuing his aggressive behavior, although the observer clearly and repeatedly presented himself as a representative of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission. Such actions represent a direct attempt to impede the exercise of observers’ duties and flagrantly violate electoral legislation.
We shall note that our observer has filed a complaint with the police. In this context, Promo-LEX calls on the authorities to investigate this case and apply the necessary legal measures to sanction actions of intimidation and obstruction of the observation activity. The prompt application of the law is necessary in order to deter similar attempts to intimidate observers in the future, in a context in which the election campaign will officially begin in a few days, Promo-LEX observers being actively involved in monitoring public events carried out by political actors.
We shall point out that, at international level, independent observers are recognized as human rights defenders (the Venice Commission Report on election observers as human rights defenders, adopted in December 2024, and the similar Declaration of the UN rapporteurs on human rights in 2022), and therefore enjoy protection in the exercise of their duties.
Based on the above, the Promo-LEX Association launches this appeal by which it:
- Publicly condemns the aggressive and intimidating behavior of the Chance Party leader Alexei Lungu;
- Calls on the competent authorities to promptly investigate the incident and apply the sanctions provided for by law;
- Draws the attention of political actors that intimidation of election observers is unacceptable and entails consequences. The Promo-LEX Association will not tolerate such actions and will continue to publicly denounce any attempt at intimidation;
- Recommends the Central Electoral Commission to include in the Code of conduct regarding the conduct and coverage of the election campaign provisions to ensure the protection of the rights of observers;
- Informs election observation missions, international organizations accredited in Moldova, development partners about this incident;
- Reminds the public that the work of observers is a fundamental guarantee for the conduct of fair and transparent elections.
We shall remind that, on 22 July, Promo-LEX launched its mission to observe the parliamentary elections of 28 September, and it is its 30th experience of monitoring electoral processes. Within it, the observation of the elections is ensured by 42 long-term observers and over 900 short-term observers, who will work both in the country and abroad.
The observation mission for the parliamentary elections of 28 September 2025, carried out by the Promo-LEX Association, is financially supported by Sweden, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the European Union, the Embassy of France and the Council of Europe Office in Moldova. The Observation Mission is carried out under the aegis of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.