Russian Patriarch to Visit Moldova Ahead of Election

Moldova President Igor Dodon has confirmed that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church will visit Chisinau on September 14-16 for the World Congress of Families, in what is widely seen as a move to boost to the fortunes of the pro-Russian Socialist Party ahead of important elections.

"We have received confirmation of the participation of the Patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia," Dodon wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

The socially conservative event is being organised by the Moldovan Presidency together with Brian Brown, head of the International Family Organization, a US-based religious organisation sponsored by a Russian oligarch, Konstantin Malofeyev.

Malofeyev is seen as close to the Kremlin and is an important fan of Aleksandr Dughin, a mystical ideologist who supports the Kremlin line.

Moldovan media reported last summer that Dodon met Malofeyev on Mt Athos, Greece, in August 2017, and asked him to finance the event in Chisinau - and also asked him to get Patriarch Kirill to attend as well.

Defending traditional family values is the main theme of the pro-Russian Socialist Party ahead of parliamentary elections due in November in which the current ruling pro-EU parties will face a stiff challenge.

The family congress is scheduled to open just before the official kick-off of the election campaign.

Dodon also wrote on Wednesday that the "Prime Minister of the Vatican" would attend the family event, though it is unclear who exactly this refers to.

Dodon added he will visit the US between July 1-8 on the invitation of Brian Brown.