Pro-European Party Wins Moldova Elections with Clear Majority

Moldova Chooses European Path in Landmark Election

In a decisive victory for European integration, Moldova's pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has won the parliamentary elections with a commanding majority. With over 99% of votes counted, President Maia Sandu's party secured 50.03% of the vote, maintaining its absolute majority in parliament.

Clear Choice Between East and West

The election was widely seen as a referendum on Moldova's geopolitical direction, with voters choosing between closer ties with the European Union or returning to Russia's sphere of influence. The pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc finished second with approximately 24% of the vote, while three other parties cleared the 5% electoral threshold.

"There was cheering at the PAS party office last night because this result means they can probably continue governing," said Christiaan Paauwe, correspondent for Central and Eastern Europe.

High Stakes for EU Membership

The victory comes at a critical moment for Moldova's European aspirations. The country received EU candidate status in 2022 and aims for full membership by 2030. Many Moldovans see this election as crucial for advancing the pro-European reforms necessary for EU accession.

Moldova's financial dependence on the EU has been a significant factor, with Brussels providing substantial funding for infrastructure and development projects. "Many voters were afraid that if a pro-Russian party came to power now, that funding stream would dry up," Paauwe added.

Election Day Challenges

The voting process was marred by numerous incidents, including bomb threats at polling stations and cyberattacks targeting election authorities. President Sandu reported receiving multiple messages about potential fraud attempts.

Promo-Lex, a non-governmental organization monitoring the elections, documented dozens of incidents ranging from unauthorized individuals at polling stations to voters photographing their ballots.

Pro-Russian Protests Expected

Leaders of the pro-Russian camp have already announced plans for protests. Igor Dodon, one of their leaders, called for a demonstration outside parliament on Monday afternoon, claiming the pro-Western ruling party was "in panic" and considering "scenarios that violate the law and democratic norms."

Dodon had previously undermined the election results in advance, stating that the EU camp could only win through fraud. Authorities have deployed additional police forces in anticipation of potential unrest.

Voter turnout reached just over 52%, higher than in recent elections, indicating the significance Moldovans placed on this geopolitical choice.