Moldova's pro-EU party wins parliamentary elections
Moldova's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which supports closer ties with the European Union, has secured a majority in the country's parliamentary elections. The victory, announced on September 29, 2025, represents a setback for pro-Russian opposition parties amid allegations of foreign interference. President Maia Sandu hailed the result as a choice for democracy and European integration.
The parliamentary elections in Moldova, held earlier in September 2025, resulted in a clear win for the pro-EU PAS party, led by President Maia Sandu. With all votes counted, PAS captured approximately 53% of the vote, translating to a majority of seats in the 101-member parliament. This outcome allows the party to govern without coalition partners, a shift from previous fragmented legislatures.
The elections unfolded against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions. Moldova, a former Soviet republic sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, has faced Russian meddling attempts, including alleged funding for opposition groups and cyberattacks on electoral infrastructure. Sandu, who assumed the presidency in 2020, has positioned her administration as a bulwark against Moscow's influence, especially since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In her victory speech, Sandu stated, "The Moldovan people have chosen Europe over autocracy, freedom over fear." The pro-Russian Șor Party and the Bloc of Communists and Socialists, which together garnered about 35% of the vote, decried the results as unfair, claiming voter intimidation and biased media coverage.
Voter turnout reached 48.5%, lower than in previous elections but still significant given economic challenges like inflation and energy shortages exacerbated by the regional war. International observers from the OSCE praised the vote as competitive and free of major fraud, though they noted divisive campaign rhetoric. The win bolsters Moldova's bid for EU accession; the country received candidate status in 2022 and aims for membership by 2030.
Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the elections as a "Western puppet show," echoing claims by opposition leaders. Analysts suggest the result could stabilize Sandu's government, enabling reforms in justice and anti-corruption—key EU prerequisites. However, persistent divisions may test the new parliament's ability to address domestic issues like poverty and Transnistria's separatist region, where Russian troops remain stationed.