Sandu’s pro-European party takes majority in Moldovan parliamentary elections
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Moldova’s pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), supported by President Maia Sandu, won the country’s parliamentary elections, amid growing concerns over potential Russian interference.
With 99.91% of ballots counted, PAS secured 50.16% of the vote, giving it a clear lead and reaffirming public support for Sandu’s push toward European integration.
The opposition Patriotic Electoral Bloc, led by pro-Russian former President Igor Dodon, came in second with 24.19% of the vote.
Several other parties passed the electoral threshold, including softly pro-Russian Alternative (7.97%) and Our Party (6.20%), as well as the Democracy at Home (5.62%) party, supporting a union between Moldova and Romania.
President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Sandu on her party’s victory in the Sept. 28 parliamentary elections, calling the result a win for democratic values and a setback for Russian interference.
"These elections have shown that Russia's destabilizing activities are losing, and Moldova in Europe is winning," Zelensky said. "Russia's subversive activities and constant disinformation have not worked."
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine stands with Moldova and will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
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, which has been accused of meddling and funding pro-Russian disinformation ahead of the vote.
The EU had warned that Moldova was facing "an unprecedented campaign of disinformation" from Russia ahead of the election. Media investigations also revealed an extensive Russian propaganda and interference campaign in the lead-up to the election.
Days before the elections, 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.
