Their weapon is money, your weapon is your vote!, was the loudest chant as several hundred supporters of the governing party, PAS, and its pro-European policies joined the final rally before Sunday's ballot.
This week Moldovan police and prosecutors disclosed evidence of election interference on an unprecedented scale: vote-buying and disinformation that they link directly to Russia. They've also uncovered a plot to foment violent unrest, detaining dozens of men who travelled to Serbia for training including in the use of firearms.
Opposition parties dismiss talk of Russian meddling as a political show, claiming the government is laying the ground to annul the vote should PAS lose its majority in parliament.
But Moldova took a decisive turn towards EU membership and away from Moscow after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now the evidence suggests Russia has been investing heavily in restoring its influence.
It's trying to claw back control.
Final battle?
Lodged between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova has been independent since the USSR fell apart more than three decades ago. Last summer, it launched EU accession talks in tandem with Ukraine.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean sees these elections as a final battle for his country.
There is constant pressure from Russia, he told me, as the pro-PAS crowd broke up after its brief march through Chisinau.
They're spending the equivalent of more than 1% of our GDP to overthrow our government - on propaganda and false messages.
The choice for Moldovans
Beyond the shabby Soviet-era blocks of Chisinau city suburbs, a short drive leads to field upon field lined with grape vines.
Moldova isn't rich, even in wine-producing spots like this, and huge numbers have left the country to seek better lives and incomes overseas. That's created a diaspora so large, its vote has become decisive.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the surge in energy prices has strained the economy even further - to near zero growth.
In all, there are more than 20 participants, although there's a minimal threshold to enter parliament.
The opposition
Igor Dodon isn't scared by restoring relations with Russia. It's something he actively seeks. Even as Moscow wages war on Moldova's neighbour, Ukraine, the former president has three pictures of Russian leader Vladimir Putin among the gallery of photos on his office wall.
Dodon is one of the main opposition candidates on Sunday, for the Socialist Party, and shrugs off talk of Russian interference. If he wins this election, he'll oppose all sanctions on Russia even if Brussels dictates it.
Unprecedented interference
The only documented efforts to warp Moldova's elections so far have been by Russia. The process is more sophisticated too, using crypto currency instead of bags full of cash. For the Russian side, Moldova is seen as a territory where they should rightfully exercise influence.
This is one of the most advanced interference campaigns we've seen, Police Chief Viorel Cernăuțeanu says bluntly. We understand very well that Russia will try absolutely all methods to achieve what it wants.
