What Elections in Moldova Mean for Europe

In winning parliamentary elections, Moldova’s incumbent party has kept the country on track to join the European Union, overcoming Russia’s efforts to influence the election. Jeanna Smialek, reporting from Chisinau, explains why the stakes were so high.

By Jeanna Smialek, Katrin Bennhold, Nikolay Nikolov, Claire Hogan and Joey Sendaydiego

September 30, 2025