, Columnist
Russia's Project Moldova
Painting of Renato Usatii at his office.
Marc ChampionThis article is for subscribers only.
Is Renato Usatii a Russian plot?
The 36-year-old Moldovan, who made enough money in Russia to need a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith, came home in April to set up a political party, and has been running a glittering campaign for the parliamentary vote this coming Sunday. He's now drawing support from 18 percent of the electorate, according to the latest unpublished poll by the U.S. National Democratic Institute, upending Moldova's electoral arithmetic.