Moldova’s ruling pro-European party secured a significant victory over its Russian-aligned competitor in a crucial parliamentary election, according to results revealed on Monday. This outcome marks a substantial advancement for Moldova’s aspirations to join the European Union and distance itself from Moscow’s influence.
The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, exceeded expectations with a strong showing on Sunday, attaining 50.2% of the votes compared to the Patriotic Electoral Bloc’s 24.2%. The Patriotic Bloc aimed to align Moldova, a former Soviet republic situated between Ukraine and EU member Romania, more closely with Russia. Pre-election polls had suggested a tight race between PAS and the Patriotic Bloc, but the final count allows the government to pursue its objective of EU accession by 2030.
António Costa, the President of the European Council representing the EU’s 27 member states, hailed the election results as a victory for democracy, reforms, and a European future amidst alleged Russian interference and pressure.
France, Germany, and Poland jointly commended Moldova for the peaceful election conduct despite reported Russian interference, including vote manipulation and misinformation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also praised the election outcome, stating that Moscow failed to destabilize Moldova.
Moldova, with a population of 2.4 million, has historically oscillated between aligning with Russia and Europe. The opposition, including the Patriotic Bloc, tapped into public discontent over economic challenges and slow reform progress exacerbated by widespread disinformation campaigns.
Challenges lie ahead for Moldova to meet the stringent EU membership criteria as one of Europe’s economically disadvantaged nations. Russia denied interfering in the election, asserting that Moldovan authorities hindered hundreds of thousands of Moldovan expatriates in Russia from voting by opening only two polling stations.
Amid allegations of electoral irregularities and falsifications, opposition figures have called for protests, with Igor Dodon, a co-leader of the Patriotic Bloc, urging demonstrations in front of parliament. The government, on the other hand, accused Russia of attempting to sway the election through disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks.
The election, deemed the most significant since Moldova’s independence, showcased a significant turnout of young voters like Ana-Maria Orsu, 18, who expressed optimism for the country’s future. Sandu’s administration highlighted Russian attempts to influence the election through disinformation and vote-buying, while Russia accused the pro-EU camp in Moldova of manipulating the election outcome.
Igor Dodon’s call for protests to contest the election results raises concerns about potential unrest, with authorities monitoring the situation to prevent any post-election disruptions.
