Pro-European Party Secures Majority in Moldova’s Elections Amid Fears of Russian Interference
Moldova’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, is on course for a decisive victory in parliamentary elections widely seen as critical for the country’s path toward joining the European Union.
With most of the 1.6 million votes counted, PAS had secured nearly 50% of the ballots, leaving its main rival, the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc, trailing far behind with less than 25%. Voter turnout reached more than 52%, significantly higher than in recent years, underlining the importance Moldovans placed on this election.
Sandu, who has long championed Moldova’s integration with the EU, warned after voting closed of “massive Russian interference,” saying the very future of the country — nestled between Ukraine and Romania — was at stake.
A Clear Victory for PAS
Preliminary results indicate PAS is set to win around 54 of the 101 seats in parliament, giving it the ability to form a government without relying on smaller blocs such as the Alternativa party or the populist Our Party. This result is an improvement on the 52.8% won four years ago and strengthens Sandu’s mandate to continue reforms and push Moldova closer to the EU.
In contrast, opposition leaders have contested the outcome. Igor Dodon, the former president and a pro-Russian leader, declared victory before official results were announced and called for protests outside parliament. His early claims fueled fears of unrest, but the numbers eventually confirmed PAS’s strong lead.
Tensions on Election Day
The vote was marred by high tension and a string of bomb scares. Threats were reported not only in Moldova but also at polling stations abroad in countries such as Italy, Spain, Romania, and the United States, where Moldovan citizens were casting their ballots.
Authorities arrested three people suspected of plotting post-election unrest, while PAS leader Igor Grosu accused criminal groups backed by Moscow of orchestrating the disturbances. He urged Moldovans to remain calm and let the electoral process unfold.
Russian Influence and Disinformation
Moldova has faced mounting pressure from Russia, which continues to wield influence in the breakaway region of Transnistria, home to a Russian military presence. Residents of Transnistria, many of whom hold Moldovan passports, were among those who faced difficulties voting. Dodon and his allies claimed they were harassed or blocked from casting ballots.
Ahead of the vote, Moldovan police accused Russia of attempting to interfere through disinformation campaigns and vote buying. Authorities even reported that dozens of men were arrested after allegedly traveling to Serbia for firearms training as part of plans to incite unrest. A BBC investigation also uncovered a network offering payments for sharing pro-Russian propaganda online.
Moscow and its allies dismissed these allegations as fabrications designed to sway public opinion toward PAS. Russia’s embassy in the UK accused Moldova and its “Western sponsors” of exaggerating internal issues for political gain.
Moldova’s European Future
Sandu, who was re-elected as president last November, framed the election as a defining moment for Moldova’s democracy. “Don’t play with your vote or you’ll lose everything,” she urged citizens in the run-up to the polls.
For many voters, the war in neighboring Ukraine served as a stark reminder of the risks of aligning with Moscow. Dan Spatar, a voter in the capital Chisinau, said: “We voted for this four years ago and deserve to continue with it. We see what happens every day in Ukraine and we worry about that.”
Moldova was granted EU candidate status in 2022, alongside Ukraine, just months after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Supporters of PAS argue that continued progress toward Brussels is the only way to safeguard Moldova’s independence, improve its economy, and fight corruption.
Voices From the Ground
At polling stations across Moldova and abroad, emotions ran high. Marina, a young Moldovan woman, said she voted “for peace in Moldova, for a better life, for growing our economy.” She added that a pro-Russian government would derail Moldova’s European aspirations.
But not everyone shared her optimism. In the separatist region of Transnistria, some voters expressed frustration. One man, who identified himself as a “Russian businessman,” said the PAS government had “promised paradise and delivered nothing.” Others accused the government of deliberately making it harder for them to vote by redirecting polling stations due to bomb threats.
Queues stretched for miles at checkpoints near Transnistria, where Moldovan police checked documents and vehicle boots before allowing entry. Despite the inconvenience, most people waited patiently to cast their vote, often traveling more than 20 kilometers to reach polling stations.
Opposition Pushback
Dodon and his bloc continue to reject the legitimacy of the vote. Speaking on national television immediately after polls closed, he thanked Moldovans for turning out “in record numbers” and called for PAS to step down. He urged supporters of all opposition groups to take to the streets on Monday to “defend their vote.”
His rhetoric has raised concerns of instability, particularly after one of the parties in his bloc was barred from running just days before the election due to alleged illicit funding.
Despite his threats, Moldovan authorities insist they will maintain order. “We will not allow destabilisation,” Dodon said himself — though critics argue his actions suggest otherwise.
A Test of Stability
The outcome of this election will resonate far beyond Moldova’s borders. With Russia determined to maintain influence in Eastern Europe, Sandu’s victory sends a signal that Moldova is moving firmly toward the West.
Yet challenges remain. The country continues to grapple with high inflation, corruption, and energy dependence, while balancing the fragile situation in Transnistria.
Still, for many Moldovans, the choice was clear: a European future over a Russian past. Whether PAS can deliver on its promises now depends on its ability to implement reforms and shield the country from external pressures.
As Sandu reminded her citizens: “The future of our democracy is in your hands.” For now, Moldovans have spoken, and the message appears to be one of continuity and hope for closer ties with Europe.