Moldova’s Pro-EU PAS Party Wins Landslide Victory in Pivotal Election
In a historic vote that pitted East against West, Moldova’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has secured a decisive victory in the country’s parliamentary elections. The win, led by President Maia Sandu, grants the party a strong mandate to pursue its agenda of anti-corruption reforms and accelerated integration with the European Union.
With approximately 95% of votes counted, PAS held a commanding lead with about 48% of the vote, positioning it to secure a majority in the 101-seat parliament. This outcome is seen as a powerful endorsement of Sandu’s vision for a modern, European Moldova.
Election Results: A Clear Mandate for Europe
The preliminary results painted a clear picture of the electorate’s direction, delivering a stark defeat to pro-Russian factions.
Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS): ~48% (Pro-EU)
The Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BECS): ~25.6% (Pro-Russia)
The “ȘOR” Party: ~8.3% (Pro-Russia)
“Our Party” (PN): ~6.3% (Balanced foreign policy)
“Dreapta” (The Right) Party: ~5.7% (Right-wing)
This result suggests PAS is on track to hold a comfortable majority, allowing it to nominate the next Prime Minister and form a government without the need for a coalition. This single-party control is expected to provide the stability needed to push through complex reforms required for EU membership.
A Vote Marred by Allegations of Interference
The high-stakes election was conducted under a cloud of alleged foreign interference and security incidents. President Maia Sandu and other officials repeatedly warned of attempts to destabilize the democratic process.
Key incidents included:
Bomb Threats: Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported bomb threats targeting polling stations set up for the diaspora in several countries, including Romania, Italy, Spain, and the United States.
Disruption Plots: Authorities announced the detention of three suspects from the breakaway, Russian-backed region of Transnistria, accusing them of plotting to incite chaos with pyrotechnics and flammable materials.
Electoral Fraud: Sandu flagged reports of widespread illegal practices, including voter transportation, cash-for-votes schemes, and the removal of blank ballots for potential reuse.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean echoed these concerns, urging vigilance against large-scale vote-buying and cyberattacks he stated were funded by Russia. Pro-Russian political leaders, including former President Igor Dodon, rejected all interference claims as “unsubstantiated.”
The Diaspora’s Decisive Role
The Moldovan diaspora emerged as a powerful force in this election, reaffirming its growing influence in shaping the country’s political landscape. In the 2020 presidential election that first brought Maia Sandu to power, a record 327,000 Moldovans living abroad cast their ballots, with more than 82% backing her pro-European platform. That wave of support from citizens spread across Europe, North America, and beyond was decisive in tilting the balance in her favor.
In this parliamentary vote, their turnout proved once again to be critical, helping to offset domestic backing for pro-Russian parties and providing PAS with the margin needed to consolidate its lead. The diaspora’s sustained engagement underscores not only their commitment to democratic participation but also the enduring sense of responsibility they feel toward shaping Moldova’s future direction. Their votes symbolize a broader push for reform, stability, and closer integration with Europe, while serving as a counterweight to forces advocating for a return to Moscow’s orbit. In many ways, the diaspora has become both a political safeguard and a vital bridge between Moldova and the wider world
Implications: A Path to the European Union
This election was widely described as the most consequential in Moldova’s post-Soviet history. President Sandu herself framed it as a choice between “consolidating our democracy and joining the EU, or whether Russia drags us back into a grey zone.”
With a parliamentary majority, the PAS government is now empowered to:
Accelerate EU Accession Talks: Formally begin and advance negotiations for full membership.
Deepen Anti-Corruption Reforms: Overhaul the judiciary and state institutions to meet EU standards.
Align with Western Foreign Policy: Strengthen ties with NATO and other Western allies.
The victory signals a firm rejection of Russian influence for a majority of Moldovan voters. However, the significant vote share for pro-Russian parties and the tense, contentious atmosphere of the election reveal a nation still deeply divided, facing intense geopolitical pressures as it seeks to chart its future.
