I Like / I Dislike Week 06 [20241102-20241108]

Every Monday, the CERESE publishes the assessment of the previous week’s news by the Research Trainees:

I like Maia Sandu’s victory in the Moldovan presidential elections. The reelected President, who is in favor of her country’s accession to the European Union, won over her rival, Alexandr Stoianoglo, who the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party supports. With the latter calling for closer relations with Russia, the election was considered a choice between Europe and Russia. There have been several allegations that Moscow attempted to interfere in the election results, with the President herself accusing Russia of trying to bribe voters. During her victory speech, Sandu promised to be a President for all and encouraged a climate of unity ahead of the key parliamentary elections next summer.

I dislike status of human rights in Azerbaijan. More specifically, on the occasion of COP29 held in Azerbaijan, the European Union and seventeen human rights organizations urge European leaders to highlight the country’s human rights abuses, including politically motivated imprisonments of activists and government critics. The Azerbaijani leadership has escalated its crackdown on media and civil society, targeting activists like Gubad Ibadoghlu and Anar Mammadli, who are detained in poor conditions. Human Rights Watch calls on the EU to use its political and energy partnerships with Azerbaijan to push for reforms and support human rights during COP29.

The aforementioned opinions are those of their respective authors and they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Institute of International Relations or its Researchers.