Pro-European Party Takes Lead in Moldova’s Parliamentary Election

Moldova’s governing party, which supports closer ties with the European Union, has taken the lead in a crucial parliamentary election, though early results suggest it may not win the full majority it needs to accelerate its EU membership ambitions.
With nearly 60% of ballots counted, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) had secured 43% of the vote, while the rival Patriotic Bloc—favoring stronger ties with Moscow—stood at 29%.
The vote is seen as a pivotal moment for the Eastern European country, long caught between the influence of the West and Russia. President Maia Sandu has called it an “existential moment” for Moldova’s future.
Election day was marked by tension and disruption, with officials reporting cyberattacks on voting infrastructure and a wave of fake bomb threats at polling stations both inside Moldova and in locations abroad where many Moldovans cast their ballots.
The Moldovan diaspora, known for generally supporting EU integration, could play a key role in the final result. Vote counting began after polls closed at 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT).
If PAS manages to retain a majority in the 101-seat parliament, it would be able to continue pursuing its goal of joining the EU by 2030 and reducing the country’s dependence on Russia. Without a clear majority, it would need to seek alliances with smaller parties to form a government.
Cyber Threats and Accusations Intensify
Stanislav Secrieru, President Sandu’s national security adviser, warned that authorities expected “further escalation” in cyberattacks targeting the Central Electoral Commission and other state systems, with attacks reportedly originating from multiple countries.
He stated that:

“Fake bomb threats had been called into voting stations in Rome, Brussels and the United States,”
describing this as a sign of “massive pressure from Russia and its proxies” to disrupt the vote.

Moscow has denied any interference and accused the Moldovan leadership of using anti-Russian narratives to gain political advantage.
On election day, Patriotic Bloc co-leader and former president Igor Dodon called for demonstrations outside the parliament, alleging plans by President Sandu to invalidate the results:

“Sandu was planning to annul the vote.”

He did not provide any evidence for the claim.
Sandu and senior officials have repeatedly raised concerns about what they describe as an extensive campaign by Russia to influence the election’s outcome.
Earlier in the week, electoral authorities excluded two pro-Russian parties from the ballot, citing illegal campaign financing. In the run-up to the election, law enforcement carried out numerous raids targeting suspected foreign-backed networks allegedly working to incite unrest.
Economic Frustration Fuels Division
The opposition has tapped into growing dissatisfaction over economic hardships and slow progress on reforms. Officials claim this discontent has been amplified by a flood of misinformation.
Inflation remains high, around 7%, and energy costs—largely from imports—have burdened households.
In Chisinau, fruit vendor Viorica Burlacu voiced her support for stronger ties with Europe:

“We’re afraid of war; no one wants that,” said the 46-year-old. “So we’re reaching out to Europe for at least some protection.”

But not all voices echo that sentiment. In Balti, an elderly resident reflected fondly on her younger years under Soviet rule:

“What was so bad about it? That’s how life was. I was a student, everything was fine, everything was great.”