The pro-European party of Moldovan President Maia Sandu has claimed victory and a new majority in parliament in Sunday’s elections seen as critical for her country’s future path to the EU.
Sandu had warned of massive Russian interference after voting, saying the future of Moldova, flanked by Ukraine and Romania, was at stake.
Igor Grosu, the leader of Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which secured about 50% of the vote, stated that Russia had thrown everything it had at the election.
Opposition leader Igor Dodon had claimed victory even before results came in and called for protests outside parliament in the capital Chisinau on Monday. However, PAS's victory appears to be clear as Monday's protests were small, primarily attended by pensioners, with no visible momentum from Dodon's camp.
With 99.9% of the 1.6 million votes counted, PAS had 50.17% of the vote, significantly ahead of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc at 24.18%. The voter turnout was 52%, surpassing that of recent years.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result, emphasizing the voters' clear choice for democracy and freedom. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commended Sandu for preserving democracy against Russian influence, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated Moldova’s orientation towards Europe.
In response to the election, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that hundreds of thousands of Moldovans were unable to vote due to limited polling locations in Russia. Recent Moldovan elections have seen closer margins, but it quickly became evident after polls closed that Sandu’s party was on track for another majority in the 101-seat parliament.
Moldovans have been navigating the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, along with increasing prices and corruption concerns. President Sandu reminded her constituents that the future of their democracy rests in their hands, dissuading them from taking their votes lightly.
Amid heightened tensions, bomb threats were reported at polling stations internationally. Grosu condemned these threats as actions from criminal groups backed by Moscow and urged calm as the electoral process unfolds.
Despite claims from pro-Russian groups of harassment during the voting process, the head of PAS asserted the legitimacy of the results as they moved forward to plan their governance without needing to form coalitions with other parties.
In the lead-up to the elections, reports surfaced of a coordinated effort by Russia to sway public opinion through disinformation campaigns and vote buying, with significant police interventions to ensure electoral integrity.
Dan Spatar, a voter, expressed his commitment to a European future over a Russian past as he joined others in the polls, emphasizing a desire for peace and economic growth.
In a sign of ongoing complications, voters in Transnistria faced challenges and delays, marking a decrease in participation compared to previous elections due to logistical difficulties and security incidents surrounding the polling stations.
