Moldova’s Pro-European Party Secures Surprise Majority in Crucial Election

Moldova’s ruling pro-European party achieved a significant and unexpected victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election, defeating its Russia-friendly opponents by a wide margin. The outcome is seen as a major step forward in the country’s push to align with the European Union and distance itself from Russian influence.
President Maia Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured 50.2% of the vote, according to near-complete results, while the opposing Patriotic Bloc trailed with just 24.2%. The result came as a surprise to many, as pre-election polls had suggested a tight race, with no clear majority expected.
The victory is likely to accelerate Moldova’s ambitions to join the EU by 2030. The small Eastern European country, located between Ukraine and EU member Romania, has long been torn between its European aspirations and historical ties to Russia.
European officials welcomed the result. The President of the European Council praised Moldovans for choosing a democratic and European path, despite ongoing efforts by Moscow to sway the election through disinformation and illicit tactics.
France, Germany, and Poland also commended the peaceful conduct of the vote, highlighting concerns over Russian interference, including vote-buying schemes and propaganda campaigns. Russia, however, denied any involvement.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky also reacted positively, stating that Moldova had resisted attempts by Moscow to cause instability.
In the capital Chisinau, 18-year-old first-time voter Ana-Maria Orsu said she was encouraged by the high turnout among young people and expressed hope for a better future.
PAS had called the vote one of the most important since Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Government officials said the election process was marred by cyberattacks, bomb threats, and online disinformation – all believed to be part of efforts to disrupt the democratic process.
Stanislav Secrieru, a top security adviser, reported attempted attacks on election infrastructure and government websites, further pointing to external interference.
On the other side, Russian officials claimed the election was manipulated by pro-European forces. A senior Russian lawmaker accused the Moldovan government of suppressing opposition voices and committing electoral fraud. He warned that Moldova was following the same path as Ukraine.
Igor Dodon, co-leader of the Patriotic Bloc and former president, called for protests outside the national parliament, alleging—without evidence—that the government planned to invalidate the vote. Authorities have expressed concern about possible unrest and are monitoring the situation closely.
Moldova, a country of around 2.4 million people, continues to face challenges including energy insecurity, high inflation (hovering near 7%), and a slow reform process. These issues have fueled dissatisfaction, which opposition groups sought to capitalize on during the campaign.
Despite the clear win for PAS, experts say the government will need to work hard to address divisions in society and communicate the benefits of EU integration more effectively to skeptical citizens. Political analyst Anastasia Pociumban described the result as a strong mandate but warned that deep social and economic divides remain.