Laura Thorton, Senior director for global democracy programs, McCain Institute, guest speaker at Security Corner, part of the Moldova Security Forum 2025
What does democratic resilience truly mean for a country like the Republic of Moldova, often described as a “frontline democracy” facing constant hybrid threats? In this interview, we explore with an international expert the core ingredients of resilient democracy – strong institutions, transparency, clear understanding of the threats and vulnerabilities we are facing, independent media, active civil society, and election systems protected from foreign interference. We discuss Moldova’s vulnerabilities ahead of upcoming elections and the concrete steps that institutions, political actors, and civil society should prioritize to safeguard electoral integrity and counter disinformation effectively. The conversation also highlights key lessons Moldova offers to established democracies in the EU and North America on managing polarization, external influence, and the risks of democratic backsliding. Watch the interview:
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This material was produced with financial support from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Swedish MFA) and the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). Its content is the sole responsibility of the European Institute for Development Policy (EURODEV) in partnership with PISA and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs or the GMF.