But he warned that \u201cthe danger is not surpassed, as a functional government is difficult to form. The Kremlin has bankrolled too big of an operation to stand down and could resort to protests, bribing PAS MPs and other tactics to disrupt forming a stable pro-European government.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AFP__20250928__77323BV__v2__HighRes__TopshotMoldovaPoliticsVote-e1759109175482-640x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Opposition candidate Igor Dodon uses a megaphone to address a small gathering of protesters in front of the Central Electoral Commission, alleging electoral fraud as votes continue to be counted in Chisinau, Moldova, on September 28, 2025. (Daniel MIHAILESCU \/ AFP)<\/p>\n
PAS gained 52.8% in the 2021 elections. Turnout this year stood at around 52%, similar to that of 2021.<\/p>\n
Holding on to its parliamentary majority would allow the party to keep Moldova\u2019s EU bid on track, a process requiring years of concerted legislative efforts.<\/p>\n
The buildup to what PAS leaders have called the most consequential election in Moldova since independence was marred by accusations of foul play by both sides up to and on the day of polling.<\/p>\n
President Maia Sandu\u2019s government warned Moldovans that Russia had attempted to sway the vote through widespread disinformation and vote-buying.<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25269333549298-e1759038068659-640x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A woman walks in front of the government building, decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags, in Chisinau, Moldova, September 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda)<\/p>\n
Stanislav Secrieru, Sandu\u2019s national security adviser, said election infrastructure and government websites had come under cyberattack, and that fake bomb threats were called into polling stations in Moldova and abroad.<\/p>\n
Moldova\u2019s cybersecurity service said Sunday that the attacks it detected were \u201cneutralized in real time\u2026 without affecting the availability or integrity of electoral services.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the days leading up to the vote, election officials barred two pro-Russian parties from the ballot amid allegations of illegal financing.<\/p>\n
Moscow has denied meddling in Moldova.<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25271168178904-640x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A woman casts her vote during a parliamentary election in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda)<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Patriotic Bloc co-leader Igor Dodon, a former Moldovan president, called for protests in front of parliament on Monday, claiming that Sandu was planning to annul the vote. He did not provide evidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf during the night there are falsifications, tomorrow we won\u2019t recognize [the result of] the parliamentary elections\u2026 and we will ask for elections to be repeated,\u201d he said late Sunday outside the electoral commission, where he went with some supporters.<\/p>\n
Authorities will watch closely to see if Dodon follows through on the threat, and what crowds he can command if he does.<\/p>\n
Authorities late on Sunday had warned of attempts to stir unrest following the vote, part of a campaign that they blamed on Russian-backed efforts to disrupt the election if it did not go in the bloc\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25271172926025-e1759038131557-640x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A woman exiting a voting booth waits in line to cast her vote during a parliamentary election, in Chisinau, Moldova, September 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda)<\/p>\n
Moldova \u2014 a former Soviet republic of 2.4 million people that is one of Europe\u2019s poorest countries and has been buffeted by the war in neighbouring Ukraine, alleged Russian interference and energy shortages \u2014 has long vacillated between Russia and Europe. It has a pro-Russia breakaway region.<\/p>\n
Opposition groups like the Patriotic Bloc had sought to tap into voter anger over economic pain and the slow pace of reforms, grievances worsened by what officials say has been widespread disinformation.<\/p>\n
Inflation remains stubbornly high at around 7%, while Moldovans also shoulder higher costs for imported energy.<\/p>\n
But the stronger-than-expected electoral performance by PAS suggests its platform of European integration and breaking with Russia still resonates among wide swaths of voters.<\/p>\n
A near-full, preliminary count is usually known in the early hours of the following morning after the closure of polls on Sunday evening. Votes from expatriate Moldovans can take another day to come in.<\/p>\n
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