Ruling party holds on to its majority in Sunday’s poll, which it says is ‘strong mandate for EU accession.
Moldova’s pro-western president, Maia Sandu, has hailed voters’ refusal to be “bought” by Moscow after her ruling party held on to its parliamentary majority in Sunday’s pivotal election, bolstering the tiny country’s aspiration of joining the EU and distancing itself from Russia’s influence.
“We did not allow ourselves to be bought, intimidated or frightened,” she said on Monday. “We mobilised and defended our country through honest, democratic choice.
“Throughout this campaign, the Kremlin sought to divide us, to undermine our trust — in the state, in our institutions, in one another, and in our ability to resist. This election showed that yes, we have vulnerabilities, but also capable institutions and dedicated people.”
Sandu said the vote, from the country of 2.4 million, was a “strong mandate” to accede to the EU.
With more than 99.9% of ballots counted, her pro-western Action and Solidarity party (PAS) had 50.03% of the vote, putting it on track to win 55 of the 101 seats in parliament. That compared with 24.26% for a Moscow-leaning alliance of Soviet-nostalgic parties led by the former president Igor Dodon, according to results published on the election commission’s website.
The result marks a significant victory for Sandu, who has staked her presidency on a pro-European course and accused Russia of deploying unprecedented underhand tactics to sway voters in the impoverished country squeezed between Ukraine and Romania.
Power is shared in Moldova between the directly elected president and a prime minister appointed by parliament, with Igor Grosu, the PAS leader and a close ally of Sandu, expected to take the post.
The results will be greeted with a sigh of relief in Brussels and other European capitals, where there had been fears that Moscow could regain a foothold in a strategically vital region as it steps up its hybrid campaign across the continent.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote on X: “Moldova, you’ve done it again. No attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve.
“You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom. Our door is open. And we will stand with you every step of the way.”
Sunday’s election is a major boost for those hoping Moldova joins the EU, but the path to membership remains uncertain. The country still needs to push through a series of reforms and address the unresolved issue of Transnistria, the breakaway region where 1,500 Russian troops are stationed.