A vote was held in the village of Geamăna, in Anenii Noi district, to determine which of the two competing Orthodox jurisdictions the local church should belong to.
In the end, residents decided that the church would remain under the Metropolis of Moldova of the Russian Orthodox Church. Eighty-two villagers voted in favor of this option.
However, 79 people supported transferring the church to the Metropolis of Bessarabia.
A Village Split in Two
The result revealed a village almost evenly divided. Many observers say this reflects broader tensions within Moldovan society.
According to critics, years of political polarization have deepened divisions that now run through church communities, villages, and even families.
Some residents support alignment with the Metropolis of Bessarabia, while others prefer to remain within the Metropolis of Moldova. Similar disagreements appear in debates about European integration, national sovereignty, and social values.
These divisions have become increasingly visible in different parts of the country. In some cases, tensions have even escalated into physical confrontations, as was recently reported in the village of Dereneu.
Calls for De-escalation
Critics argue that the authorities have done little to ease the growing polarization. Instead of attempting to reduce tensions, they say the government often appears to side with one camp, which further fuels the conflict.
Observers warn that without efforts to bridge these divides, disputes over religious jurisdiction and broader political issues could continue to intensify.
