A warning sign for the region: what the new Global State of Democracy report reveals about the state of institutions in Moldova

Moldova rights

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) presented its global report, “The Global State of Democracy 2026: Democracy in an Age of Conflict”. The study, covering key parameters of state resilience and human rights, records a negative dynamic in the Republic of Moldova: the country demonstrated a decline across all four core categories of democratic development.

For the human rights community, these findings serve as a critical signal. The deterioration of Moldova’s standings comes against the backdrop of a complex geopolitical environment in Eastern Europe, raising questions about the resilience of the country’s institutions in the face of internal and external challenges.

Performance Dynamics: Where Is Moldova Losing Ground?

According to the updated index (173 evaluated countries), Moldova holds the following rankings:

  • Representation — 71st place. This category saw the most significant decline over the past three years (for comparison: 51st place in 2023 and 69th in 2025). Experts attribute this to difficulties in ensuring the transparency of political processes, developments in electoral legislation, and the vulnerability of institutions to foreign interference.

  • Rule of Law — 68th place. Indicators are showing a systemic decline (56th place in 2023). Despite ongoing judicial reforms and judicial vetting procedures, the justice system and anti-corruption institutions remain a vulnerable link.

  • Rights — 54th place. This is the most stable category for Moldova (fluctuating between 52nd and 54th place). The country maintains a relatively open civil society and basic guarantees of fundamental freedoms; however, the overall regression of adjacent institutions poses risks to this area as well.

  • Participation — 90th place. This category traditionally remains a weak spot (85th place in 2025), reflecting low citizen engagement in decision-making at a systemic level.

On the overall composite score, Moldova ranks 71st globally—trailing neighboring Romania (46th place), but ahead of Ukraine (90th place), Georgia, as well as authoritarian regimes in the region such as Russia (139th) and Belarus (148th).

Key Risks: The “In-Between State” Trap

The central thesis of the International IDEA 2026 report is that declining democratic quality is directly linked to an increased risk of conflict and instability. Researchers emphasize that states in an “in-between” (hybrid) condition—where formal democratic procedures like elections function, but rule of law mechanisms and checks and balances are weak—exhibit the lowest level of resilience.

For Moldova, falling into this category presents serious challenges:

  • Erosion of the Rule of Law: As judicial reforms drag on and public trust in justice remains low, citizens lose effective domestic remedies for rights protection.

  • Vulnerability to External Pressure: Weakened institutions struggle to cope with hybrid threats, disinformation, and attempts to destabilize the political system.

  • Security and Stability: In the context of the war in neighboring Ukraine, the strength of domestic legal institutions becomes a matter of national security and the preservation of social peace.

ISHR Position

The International Society for Human Rights notes that Moldova’s pursuit of European integration and institutional strengthening requires not only political declarations, but also consistent adherence to international human rights and rule of law standards.

The success of reforms is impossible without:

  • Ensuring genuine judicial independence and the transparency of anti-corruption procedures.

  • Protecting free civic space and guaranteeing the operation of independent media.

  • Engaging in broad dialogue with civil society, ensuring that security measures or reforms do not lead to disproportionate restrictions on citizens’ rights and freedoms.

The ISHR will continue to monitor the situation in Moldova and calls on international bodies and state authorities to focus efforts on strengthening the country’s core human rights and democratic institutions.

Data source: International IDEA, “The Global State of Democracy 2026: Democracy in an Age of Conflict”.