The Central Election Commission of Moldova has decided not to register the political bloc “Victory” for participation in the parliamentary elections. This bloc is associated with the pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, who is currently a fugitive and has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The decision was made on July 19, as reported by NewsMaker. Deputy Chairman of the CEC Pavlo Postika noted that the “Victory” bloc has direct ties to Ilan Shor, who was involved in its creation.

Particular attention was drawn to the holding of the bloc’s congress in Moscow. According to Postika, this raises “reasonable suspicions” of possible illegal financing from foreign sources, which contradicts Moldova’s national legislation.

“Holding the congress on the territory of a foreign state without oversight from electoral authorities, with the participation and logistical support of foreign entities, raises reasonable suspicions of illegal financing, which contradicts national legislation.”

– Pavlo Postika, Deputy Head of Moldova’s CEC

The CEC also reminded that the law prohibits the creation of new political forces based on parties declared unconstitutional, which includes the “Shor” party. The parties within the bloc are currently involved in court proceedings regarding their dissolution or restriction of their activities.

Additionally, it was noted that the name and symbols of the “Victory” bloc coincide with those of one of the parties within the bloc, which violates electoral law.

The leaders of the “Victory” bloc present at the CEC meeting called the commission’s decision “unlawful” and promised to appeal it.

The political bloc “Victory” was established in April 2024 in Moscow. It includes four parties: “Revival,” “Chance,” “The Power of Alternative and Salvation of Moldova,” and “Victory,” all linked to Ilan Shor.

In early July 2024, the bloc held a congress in Moscow where Ilan Shor spoke. He stated that the “only salvation” for Moldova is an alliance with Russia. Shor also announced that the top candidate on the electoral list would be the head of the Gagauzia autonomy, Evgenia Guțul, who faces up to 9 years in prison in a case concerning illegal financing of the “Shor” party.

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu expressed concern that Russia might provoke an escalation of the crisis in Transnistria to destabilize the country ahead of the parliamentary elections in autumn 2025 and influence the voting results on the left bank of the Dniester.

History of the “Shor” Party

The “Shor” party is led by Ilan Shor, a well-known politician and businessman. In 2017, he was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for corruption, but he appealed and fled Moldova. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, deputies from this political force visited Moscow and established contacts with Russian political structures.

In October 2022, Ilan Shor was added to the US sanctions list due to his ties with the Russian government and organizing unrest that undermines Moldova’s democratic development.