Moldova’s pro-European Union Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has won a decisive majority in the country’s high-stakes parliamentary elections, defeating pro-Russian parties by a wide margin despite allegations of Moscow-backed interference, disinformation campaigns, and attempts at violent disruption.
A Pivotal Election
The vote, held on Sunday and finalized by Monday afternoon, has been described by President Maia Sandu as “the most consequential” in Moldova’s post-Soviet history. With Russia’s war in Ukraine raging just across the border, Moldovans faced a choice: deepen integration with the European Union or pivot back toward Moscow’s orbit.
The official results, covering more than 99 percent of polling stations, gave PAS 50.16 percent of the vote, securing 55 of parliament’s 101 seats—enough for a comfortable governing majority. The outcome ensures that Prime Minister Dorin Recean, a staunch pro-EU figure appointed in 2023, is likely to retain his position and continue pursuing reforms aligned with Brussels.
Moscow’s Shadow
The campaign was marred by allegations of direct Russian interference. Moldovan officials accused Moscow of orchestrating a “hybrid war” designed to sway the vote, including cyberattacks, illicit financing of political parties, and widespread disinformation campaigns. Analysts say pro-Russian propaganda, some generated by artificial intelligence and spread through social media, sought to erode public trust in the EU and discredit Sandu’s government.
Two pro-Russian groups—Heart of Moldova and Moldova Mare—were banned from the election over claims of receiving illicit Russian funding. Meanwhile, Moldovan police carried out hundreds of raids, arresting dozens allegedly trained abroad to incite riots on election day. Bomb threats were reported at polling sites in Moldova and across the diaspora, though voting ultimately proceeded.
International observers pointed to Russia’s heavy-handed involvement. “There is very little doubt in my mind that Russia tried to buy votes and flood Moldova with disinformation,” said Stefan Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham. Google confirmed it had taken down more than 1,000 YouTube channels linked to coordinated influence operations targeting Moldova since June 2024.
A Clear Mandate
Despite predictions of a tight race, PAS pulled ahead decisively, with the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP)—led by former president Igor Dodon—capturing just 24.19 percent and 26 parliamentary seats. Other smaller parties made their debut in parliament, including the Alternative Party (pro-EU, 8 seats), Our Party (6 seats), and Democracy at Home (6 seats).
More than 1.6 million Moldovans cast ballots, representing 52.2 percent of eligible voters—higher turnout than in previous elections. Crucially, the Moldovan diaspora played a significant role, with nearly 18 percent of votes coming from abroad, though final breakdowns by location were not released.
The Stakes for Europe
For Sandu and PAS, the victory keeps alive Moldova’s ambition to join the EU by 2028. The European Commission granted Moldova candidate status in 2022, alongside Ukraine, conditional on reforms in governance, human rights, and the rule of law. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has publicly endorsed Moldova’s EU path, declaring its future lies “within the European family.”
Yet Moscow retains leverage. The breakaway enclave of Transnistria, with its 1,500 Russian troops and pro-Russian leadership, continues to press for annexation by Russia. Many in Transnistria hold dual Russian citizenship, complicating Moldova’s stability.
Divided Reactions
At PAS headquarters in Chisinau, party leader Igor Grosu hailed the outcome as a victory for democracy. “It was not only PAS that won these elections, it was the people who won,” he said, accusing Russia of deploying “mountains of money, mountains of lies, mountains of illegalities” to sabotage Moldova’s democratic process.
Prime Minister Recean echoed this view: “Moldovans demonstrated that their freedom is priceless and cannot be bought or manipulated by Russia’s propaganda.”
By contrast, Dodon rejected the result outright, alleging without evidence that PAS had tampered with the vote. He called for protests and urged his supporters to resist what he termed an illegitimate government. Dozens gathered outside parliament Monday, though it remains unclear whether the opposition will escalate.
What Comes Next
Sandu must now formally nominate a prime minister, expected to be Recean, who will form the new government. Analysts say the biggest challenge will be healing societal divisions deepened by the election. Pro-European Moldovans view the result as a mandate to accelerate EU integration, while pro-Russian factions claim betrayal.
For Europe, Moldova’s election signals another critical front in the struggle over influence in Eastern Europe. For Moldova itself, it is a test of whether the fragile democracy can withstand pressure from Moscow while delivering on promises of prosperity and security.
