Moldova’s ruling pro-European party, Action and Solidarity (PAS), has secured a clear victory in parliamentary elections, successfully defending its absolute majority. Provisional results released by the Central Election Commission indicate PAS received 49.99% of the vote, solidifying its position as the dominant political force.
The “Patriotic Block” a Russia-aligned coalition associated with former Moldovan President Igor Dodon, emerged as the second-largest party, garnering 24.28% of the vote after the near-complete tally of ballots.
The election, held in the strategically located nation between Romania and Ukraine, was largely viewed as a pivotal moment for Moldova, an EU candidate country since 2022. President Maia Sandu had expressed hope for a reinforced pro-European majority in parliament to facilitate the continued implementation of reforms necessary for EU accession.
The campaign leading up to the election was marked by accusations of external interference from both Sandu and her political opponents. Allegations included claims of vote buying, disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks.
Beyond PAS and the Patriotic Block, other parties are poised to enter the new parliament. The Russia-aligned Bloc Alternativa and the Nostru party, led by businessman Renato Usatii, are expected to secure representation. Unexpectedly, the PPDA party also surpassed the five percent threshold, allowing them to enter parliament. Voter turnout reached approximately 52 percent, surpassing the figures recorded in the 2021 elections.