Moldova’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, has won a decisive majority in the country’s parliamentary elections, cementing its pro-European direction and delivering a sharp blow to Moscow-backed rivals.
Official results show PAS captured just over 50 percent of the vote, securing 55 seats in the 101-member legislature. The victory ensures the government can press ahead with sweeping reforms aimed at combating corruption, strengthening institutions, and advancing Moldova’s long-sought bid for European Union membership.
The main opposition, a pro-Russian coalition led by former president Igor Dodon, garnered around 25 percent, while other smaller parties failed to make significant inroads. Turnout reached just above 52 percent, with Moldovans abroad—particularly in the European Union—playing a crucial role in tilting the balance toward Sandu’s party.
The campaign was marred by allegations of Russian interference, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and pressure on religious institutions. Authorities also reported bomb threats at overseas polling stations and attempts to buy votes. Two pro-Russian parties were disqualified ahead of the vote over illegal financing, prompting Moscow to denounce the process as unfair. The Kremlin further accused Moldova of suppressing the voice of its large diaspora in Russia, where only two polling stations were made available.
Despite these tensions, Sandu hailed the result as a victory for Moldova’s future, declaring that voters had chosen integrity over manipulation. “Our citizens refused to be bought or intimidated,” she said. “They chose a European path.”
The win gives PAS a stronger mandate to continue legal and constitutional reforms demanded by Brussels, though obstacles remain. Moldova still grapples with entrenched corruption, economic hardship, and heavy dependence on energy imports. The process of joining the EU will also require unanimous support among member states, leaving room for political roadblocks.
Analysts note that the result shifts Moldova firmly into Europe’s orbit at a time of heightened geopolitical struggle in Eastern Europe. Sharing borders with both Romania and war-torn Ukraine, the small nation now faces the challenge of turning electoral victory into concrete reforms while resisting further destabilization efforts from Moscow.
For many Moldovans, however, the vote marks a hopeful break from the past. “It’s a chance to finally move forward,” said one young voter in Chișinău. “We want a future in Europe, not under Russia’s shadow.”