Sandu’s PAS Secures Clear Majority in Moldova’s Election
Moldova’s pro-European ruling party secured a commanding victory over its Russia-leaning opponent in a parliamentary election seen as pivotal for the country’s future, Reuters reports. The result, announced on September 29, strengthens Chisinau’s push to join the European Union and distance itself from Moscow.
President Maia Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won 50.1% of the vote, according to near-final results from the electoral commission. Its main rival, the Patriotic Bloc, trailed with 24.2%. Polls had predicted a close contest, but the outcome spares the country from coalition bargaining and provides a mandate to pursue EU membership by 2030.
Accusations of Russian Interference
The campaign was overshadowed by claims of Russian meddling. Sandu’s government accused Moscow of attempting to sway voters through disinformation, vote-buying and cyber attacks on state infrastructure. Authorities also reported fake bomb threats at polling stations both at home and abroad.
Moscow denied any involvement.
Former president and Patriotic Bloc co-leader Igor Dodon alleged without evidence that Sandu intended to annul the vote and urged his supporters to protest outside parliament. Officials warned of attempts to provoke unrest following the result and are monitoring whether demonstrations materialise.
A Country Caught Between East and West
Moldova, a nation of 2.4 mln, has been unsettled by the war in neighbouring Ukraine, energy shortages and alleged Russian influence campaigns. Opposition groups sought to capitalise on voter frustration over economic hardship, sluggish reforms and inflation, which remains at about seven percent.
Despite these pressures, PAS’s decisive win indicates that a significant portion of Moldovans still favour closer ties with Europe and a clean break from Moscow’s sphere of influence.
Kursiv also reports that Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov claimed on September 25 that NATO and the European Union are using Ukraine to fight a «real war» against his country.
