Opinion remains split in Moldova ahead of Sunday's EU membership referendum

People in Moldova head to the polls on Sunday in a dual vote - to choose their next president and to vote in a referendum on whether the country should join the European Union.

Wherever they sit on the political spectrum, most Moldovans want higher wages and a better quality of life.

However opinion is split on whether joining the EU will provide the bright future supporters of the idea suggest. Some are sceptical that membership will deliver the promised changes while others prefer to maintain a cordial relationship with Russia.

"Nothing good," said one man in the capital Chișinău when asked by Euronews what his expectations were.

"When in all these years they've been doing nothing. And the roads are completely deteriorated. I have not seen anybody doing a well so far, neither the current ones [politcians] nor the others. I don't see any hope for the future," he said.

But other Moldovans think that EU membership will improve living standards and raise wages, something that’s prompted many young people to leave the country in search of better salaries elsewhere.

"We all hope that young people would come back to the country, hope for changes for the better here in our country and to make a future here with our children together," said one Moldovan

"Let's integrate better, let's develop better, let's increase salaries now in the Republic of Moldova - salaries and all that, and do as much as possible for the youth," said another.

The current minimum wage in Moldova is set at 5,000 leu (€261) making it one of the lowest in Europe.

A recent analysis by the independent think tank Idis Viitorul showed that more than 200,000 Moldovans had left the country in the last four years, a record number.

The data also show that more than 40% of