Pro-EU Party Secures Majority in Moldova’s Critical Parliamentary Vote

September 29, 2025 12:25 PM

Pro-EU Party Secures Majority in Moldova’s Critical Parliamentary Vote

Moldova’s ruling pro-European party has successfully retained its parliamentary majority following a pivotal election on Sunday, securing the nation’s path toward potential European Union membership despite alleged intense interference from Moscow.

With over 99.5% of the votes tallied, the Action and Solidarity (PAS) party, led by President Maia Sandu, earned 50.03% of the vote for the 101-seat parliament. This result outperformed pre-election predictions that suggested the party risked falling short of an outright majority.

EU Path Affirmed

The outcome is a major victory for President Sandu, a former World Bank official who has centred her leadership on a pro-European trajectory and an aggressive anti-corruption agenda. Sandu’s government recently oversaw a referendum to constitutionally enshrine the goal of EU membership within a decade.

In contrast, the Moscow-aligned coalition of Soviet-nostalgic parties, headed by former President Igor Dodon, garnered 24.26%. The decisive result will be welcomed in Brussels, alleviating concerns that Russia could establish a stronger foothold in the strategically located nation, which is situated between Ukraine and Romania.

Allegations of Russian Interference

The election was overshadowed by multiple reported attempts to disrupt the vote, which Moldovan officials and Western intelligence sources have attributed to Russia. These incidents included:

Cyber-attacks on election systems and widespread fake bomb threats targeting polling sites, particularly those serving the crucial diaspora vote abroad.
Accusations that Moscow has been funneling billions of dollars into pro-Russian parties, vote-buying schemes, and propaganda campaigns aimed at undermining pro-Western sentiment.
A recent investigation revealed Moscow allegedly recruited and paid dozens of local priests to urge congregations to vote against the PAS party.

Russia has repeatedly dismissed these claims of election meddling as “anti-Russian” and “unsubstantiated.”

Opposition Vows Protest

Igor Dodon, who leads the opposition Patriotic bloc, alleged widespread electoral violations and called on all opposition parties to stage a peaceful protest outside parliament in the capital, Chișinău.

Casting her ballot, President Sandu underscored the severity of the choice facing voters, warning: “Moldova, our dear home, is in danger… The fate of our country must be decided by your vote, not by bought votes.”

Moldova, which gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has historically fluctuated between seeking closer ties with the West and maintaining Soviet-era relations with Moscow.