Moldova’s Pro-EU PAS Wins Election Amid Russian Claims

Chisinau, Moldova – Moldova’s pro-European Union governing party, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), has won a decisive victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, securing 50.2% of the vote, according to nearly complete results reported Monday. The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc came second with 24.2%, followed by the Russia-friendly Alternativa Bloc and the populist Our Party.

The election, widely viewed as a choice between continuing Moldova’s integration with Europe or moving closer to Moscow, was marred by claims of Russian interference, cyberattacks, bomb threats at polling stations abroad, and irregularities such as voters photographing ballots. Three individuals were arrested on suspicion of plotting post-election unrest.

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President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, congratulated Moldova’s pro-EU victory, writing on X: “Moldova, you’ve done it again. No attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve. You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom. Our door is open. And we will stand with you every step of the way.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also welcomed the results, saying Russia “failed to destabilise Moldova” despite spending “huge, huge resources” attempting to influence the vote.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean had warned of Russian attempts to sway the election, calling the vote “the final battle for our country’s future.” Russia denied involvement in any disinformation campaign.

Geographically sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has moved westward in recent years, obtaining EU candidate status in 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Experts say PAS’s victory ensures continuity in pursuing EU integration, avoiding potentially unstable coalition governments.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu described the election as the country’s “most consequential,” emphasizing that the outcome will determine whether Moldova consolidates its democracy and joins the EU or risks being pulled back into Russia’s sphere of influence.

The PAS majority is expected to accelerate reforms aimed at EU integration while navigating ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.