Moldova’s pro-European ruling party secured a significant victory in a crucial parliamentary election, as revealed by the latest results on Monday. This outcome serves as a significant advancement for Moldova’s aspirations to join the European Union and distance itself from Russian influence.
The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, achieved a remarkable performance on Sunday, garnering 50.2 per cent of the votes. In contrast, the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, which aimed to align Moldova more closely with Russia, received 24.2 per cent of the votes. The electoral commission’s nearly complete count enables the government to pursue its objective of EU accession by 2030.
European Council President António Costa emphasized the clear message conveyed by Moldovan citizens, highlighting their preference for democracy, reform, and a European future amid alleged Russian interference.
Despite accusations of meddling from France, Germany, and Poland, Moldova was commended for the peaceful conduct of the election. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also praised the election results, stating that Moscow’s efforts to destabilize Moldova had failed.
Moldova, with a population of 2.4 million, has historically oscillated between Russia and Europe. Challenges such as high inflation and energy costs have intensified public discontent, exploited by opposition groups to criticize the slow pace of reforms and alleged disinformation campaigns.
While Russia denied interfering in the election, the Kremlin criticized Moldovan authorities for allegedly obstructing hundreds of thousands of Moldovan expatriates in Russia from voting. The aftermath of the election saw accusations of electoral violations and fraud from various political figures, indicating potential unrest in the country.
New voters like 18-year-old Ana-Maria Orsu expressed hope for a promising future after actively participating in the election. PAS leaders regarded the election as pivotal since Moldova’s independence, attributing cyberattacks and disinformation to Russian attempts to influence the outcome.
In response, Russia accused pro-EU factions in Moldova of attempting to manipulate the election results. Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon, co-leader of the Patriotic Bloc, called for protests amid allegations that the government planned to invalidate the election, prompting authorities to monitor potential unrest closely.
