Moldova’s pro-EU party seems to have secured a strong win against its Russia-leaning rival in what has been described as the most consequential election since the country’s independence.

With more than 99% of votes counted, Moldova’s ruling party, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), had a share of 49.99%, versus 24.28% for the Patriotic Bloc, which opposes closer ties with Brussels.

Holding a majority in the 101-seat chamber would allow PAS to keep pushing for its goal of joining the EU.

If it falls short, it will have to try to form a coalition with smaller parties.

The Patriotic Bloc aims to win power and steer the nation – a former Soviet republic – away from closer ties with Brussels and the EU.

Moldova’s pro-Western president Maia Sandu, who wants the country to join the EU by 2030, reiterated long-held claims that Russia has interfered with elections.

Moldova's President Maia Sandu casts her vote during parliamentary election, in Chisinau, Moldova. Pic: AP

Image:
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu casts her vote during parliamentary election, in Chisinau, Moldova. Pic: AP

After casting her ballot, she said: “Russia poses a danger to our democracies. Our democracy is young and fragile, but that does not mean that states with longer democracies are not in danger.

“We want to live in a democracy.”

This result will be a severe blow to the Kremlin

The election victory for Maia Sandu appears to be decisive and a clear decision by the Moldovan people to choose a future closer to Europe over Russia.

Despite fears that Moscow and pro-Russian parties would try and disrupt the election, the turnout was higher than previous elections and the pro-Europe governing party has increased its position in parliament avoiding the need to join with other parties to form a coalition.

It will also give Sanhu, as president, greater hope of pushing the appointment of a loyal prime minister through parliament.

Pro-Russian parties are, unsurprisingly, claiming the election was rigged and there could still be protests on the streets. Moldova is a key priority for Moscow after Ukraine and “threw everything it had” at the election according to a senior Moldovan politician – this result will be a severe blow to the Kremlin.

There will have been a sigh of relief at the outcome in Brussels and other European capitals however – Vladimir Putin regards Moldova, which borders Ukraine, as within his sphere of influence and success for a pro-Russian party would have caused real problems for the bloc.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the result by telling Moldova “our door is open” to EU membership, but accession to the bloc still has plenty of hurdles ahead, including the issue of Transnistria, a small separatist enclave within Moldova where around 1,500 Russian troops are stationed.

In the build up to the election, Prime Minister Dorin Recean warned that Russia was spending “hundreds of millions” of euros as part of an alleged hybrid war to try to seize power, which he described as “the final battle for our country’s future”.

PAS leaders, including the party’s leader Igor Grosu, have called vote the most consequential in Moldova since independence.

Igor Grosu, president of Moldova's parliament and leader of the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity speaks to the media. Pic: AP

Image:
Igor Grosu, president of Moldova’s parliament and leader of the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity speaks to the media.
Pic: AP

Moscow has always denied meddling and says the government is spreading anti-Russian hysteria to win votes.

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Election day itself was marked by a string of incidents, ranging from bomb threats at multiple polling stations abroad to cyber attacks on electoral and government infrastructure.

Police also detained three people suspected of plotting to cause unrest after the vote.

‘A path of freedom’

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on X: “Congratulations to President Maia Sandu on her decisive election victory.

“Despite Russia’s attempts to undermine Moldova’s democracy, the people of Moldova have chosen a path of freedom.”

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the apparent results of the elections as he said on X: “Despite attempts at interference and pressure, the choice of Moldovan citizens has been strongly affirmed.

“France stands alongside Moldova in its European project and its drive for freedom and sovereignty.”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Moldova, you’ve done it again.”

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Why would Russia want to interfere?

Moldova is landlocked between Ukraine and Romania.

The country of about 2.5 million people has spent recent years on a Westward path and gained candidate status to the EU in 2022, shortly after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

If Moldova becomes a permanent EU member, it would mean a distancing from Moscow, as the EU has offered support to Ukraine and has put various sanctions in place against Russia.

However, candidate status does not guarantee a country membership to the EU.

In order for a country to become a full member, candidates must adopt democratic norms and undertake reforms to meet EU rules, regulations and standards.

All EU governments then have to agree before that country can be admitted as an EU member.