Moldova Bans Party ‘Greater Moldova’ from Upcoming Election

Moldova has excluded the political party ‘Greater Moldova’ from participating in the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for Sunday. The country’s election authority made the decision due to suspicions of illegal financing.
The announcement came late on Friday and marks the second party to be removed from the ballot in the days leading up to the vote. Authorities have expressed concerns about irregularities related to the election process and foreign involvement.
According to the Central Electoral Commission, investigations by police, security, and intelligence agencies revealed that Greater Moldova received unreported financial contributions, including suspected funding from Russia. Officials also said the party may have provided money to voters in an attempt to influence the election results.
Victoria Furtuna, leader of Greater Moldova, described the decision as unfair and indicated plans to appeal.
Some officials suspect that Greater Moldova may be linked to a previously banned party led by Ilan Shor, a businessman currently living abroad, although no wrongdoing has been confirmed.
Sunday’s parliamentary election is viewed as a significant moment for Moldova, a country seeking European Union membership. The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, has held a majority since 2021. However, recent polls suggest PAS could lose its majority amid voter concerns over economic issues like inflation and poverty.
Experts note that if PAS loses its majority, it may need to form a coalition government, which could impact the country’s EU accession plans.
Last week, another party named ‘Heart of Moldova’ was also barred from the election amid similar concerns.
Moldova’s election commission continues to monitor the election closely as the country approaches this important vote.