Victoria Fortuna is one of the 17 presidential candidates. Like several others, she has been labeled a placeholder candidate by the NGO Watchdog, which claims she is backed by the Kremlin. According to Andrei Curararu, the head of the NGO, these placeholder candidates aim to confuse voters.

Gheorghi is pleased that the referendum resulted in a pro-European outcome. However, he still fears that the war in Ukraine could spill over into Moldova.

Gheorghi remains proud of his time as a border guard on the Soviet-Chinese border. He has kept his uniform to this day and crafted a Soviet-era border post, which he has placed in his garden.

“This is the Soviet Union. Beyond the post is Europe,” he jokes.

During second round of the presidential elections, long queues formed outside polling stations designated for the Transnistrian population.

Special polling stations were set up in border towns controlled by the Moldovan government for eligible voters from the separatist region.

After casting his vote, one man asked: “Do you know where we’ll get paid? They brought us here like cattle, and now we’re not even being paid.”

Anker 1

whispers say: ”war is coming”

The Republic of Moldova finds itself caught between European integration and Russian influence. While part of the population supports closer ties with the EU, another segment leans toward Russia. These tensions are reflected not only in political decisions but also in daily life.

During the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum in October 2024, a slim majority voted in favor of EU alignment.

The population is deeply divided: some place their hopes on economic stability and reforms through the EU, while others fear the loss of cultural identity and the possibility of a war between the West and Russia.

“whispers say: war is coming” offers a glimpse into the societal mood during the election weeks in Moldova, with a particular focus on Russia's influence.

"Whispers say: war is coming" was exhibited in the Gallery for Photography (GAF – Galerie für Fotografie) in Hannover, Germany (February 13, 2025 – March 16, 2025) and during the Festival della Fotografia Etica in Lodi, Italy (September 27, 2025 – October 26, 2025).

The project has received a special mention at the World Report Award 2025, alongside being shortlisted for the Belfast Photo Festival 2025 and the Nikon Fotobus Grant 2025.