Pro-EU party leads in Moldova election as votes are counted
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Moldova's pro-European governing Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) is set to win the parliamentary election on Sept. 28, preliminary results show, amid concerns over Russia's election interference.
Election results show PAS leading with over 46% of the vote with the next closest challenger, the Russia-friendly Patriotic Bloc, receiving over 25% support, as vote counting remains ongoing.
The Central Electoral Commission said over 1.6 million people — 52% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, including 278,000 Moldovans voting abroad. Turnout compares with just over 48% in the 2021 parliamentary elections.
The results, if confirmed, will serve as a blow for Moscow who has been accused of meddling and funding pro-Russian disinformation ahead of the vote.
The EU has warned that Moldova is enduring "an unprecedented campaign of disinformation" from Russia ahead of the election. Media investigations have revealed an extensive Russian propaganda and interference campaign ahead of Moldova's elections.
Days before the elections, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in an address to the citizens that if Russia succeeds in exerting control over Moldova, "the consequences will be direct and dangerous for our country and for the entire region." She pointed to risks for Ukraine’s security and wider European stability.
"Europe will end at Moldova’s border. European funds will stop at the Prut. Freedom of movement could come to an end. Our land could become a launchpad for infiltration toward the Odesa region. The Transnistrian region would be destabilized," she said.
In the days ahead of the election, the Central Electoral Commission decided to exclude both the Heart of Moldova and Greater Moldova parties from the vote after police, security, and intelligence officials uncovered evidence that the groups were using illegal financing, the commission said.
Moldovan intelligence services reportedly also provided information on Greater Moldova's association with the Victory Bloc, a slate of pro-Russian political factions backed by exiled oligarch Ilan Shor.
Shor has allegedly used $8 billion in cryptocurrency to help Russia evade sanctions and meddle in Moldova's upcoming elections, blockchain firm Elliptic reported on Sept. 26, citing leaked documents from Shor's companies.
