EditMoldova’s pro-EU government edges towards majority in pivotal vote while pro-Russia camp cries foul
With more ballots to come in from overseas voters it remains possible the pro-EU party PAS will get over 50% in the final tally
Moldova’s ruling pro-EU party pulled comfortably ahead of its Russian-leaning rival in a crucial parliamentary election as final results trickled in on Monday (29 September), a relief for the government as it seeks to keep the country out of Moscow’s orbit.
With around 93% of votes counted, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) had 47% versus 27% for the Patriotic Bloc, which opposes closer ties with Brussels.
While still short of a majority in the 101-seat chamber, the preliminary count gets PAS closer to the threshold than many political analysts had expected and could make coalition-building less fraught than feared.
And with more ballots to come in from overseas voters, who tend to favour integration with Europe, it remains possible PAS will get over 50% in the final tally.
Holding on to its parliamentary majority would allow the party to keep Moldova’s EU bid on track, a process requiring years of concerted legislative efforts.
An acrimonious buildup to key poll
The buildup to what PAS leaders have called the most consequential election in Moldova since independence was marred by accusations of foul play by both sides up to and on the day of polling.
President Maia Sandu’s government warned Moldovans that Russia had attempted to sway the vote through widespread disinformation and vote-buying.
Stanislav Secrieru, Sandu’s national security adviser, said election infrastructure and government websites had come under cyber attack, and that fake bomb threats were called into polling stations in Moldova and abroad.
Moscow has denied meddling in Moldova.
On Sunday, Patriotic Bloc co-leader Igor Dodon, a former Moldovan president seen as leader of the pro-Russian camp, called for protests in front of parliament on Monday, claiming that Sandu was planning to annul the vote. He did not provide evidence.
Authorities will watch closely to see if Dodon follows through on the threat, and what crowds he can command if he does.
In the days leading up to the vote, election officials barred two pro-Russian parties from the ballot amid allegations of illegal financing.
Bomb scares
In a measure of the tension surrounding the vote, bomb scares were reported at polling stations in Italy, Romania, Spain and the US.
Similar scares were reported in Moldova itself and three people were arrested on suspicion of plotting unrest the day after the vote. The head of Sandu’s party, Igor Grosu, blamed criminal groups backed by Moscow for Sunday’s incidents and appealed for “patience and calm” to let the electoral process continue.
Authorities late on Sunday had warned of attempts to stir unrest following the vote, part of a campaign that they blamed on Russian-backed efforts to disrupt the election if it did not go in the bloc’s favour.
Moldovan police have made an arrest in the case of preparing riots and mass unrest after the elections.
Information about this was provided to journalists on Sunday evening, although the detentions took place somewhat earlier.
No details were provided. However, within an hour, the police press service released a new statement, accompanied by a cut of the operational video, shot, based on the timecodes on the video, shortly before the first press release appeared.
The report states that special police units detained the suspects as part of a “criminal case initiated on the fact of preparation for destabilization of the situation and mass unrest immediately after the elections and during tomorrow’s protest in the capital.”
Three people, whom police believe to be members of Transnistrian security forces, have been detained. The report states that the detainees were responsible for “coordination, monitoring, and logistical support” in the context of planned riots.
“During the detention and searches, a number of items were found in their possession, including pyrotechnics and flammable substances, which were intended to be used to create panic and chaos in the crowd,” the police said in a statement.
Moldova – a former Soviet republic of 2.4 million people that has been buffeted by the war in neighbouring Ukraine, alleged Russian interference and energy shortages – has long vacillated between Russia and Europe.
Opposition groups like the Patriotic Bloc had sought to tap into voter anger over economic pain and the slow pace of reforms – grievances worsened by what officials say has been widespread disinformation.
Inflation remains stubbornly high at around 7%, while Moldovans also shoulder higher costs for imported energy.
But the stronger-than-expected electoral performance by PAS suggests its platform of European integration and breaking with Russia still resonates among wide swathes of voters.
A near-full, preliminary count is usually known in the early hours of the following morning after the closure of polls at 1800 GMT on Sunday. Votes from expatriate Moldovans can take another day to come in.
With Reuters, European Pravda and BBC, edited by g.g.
Caption: Former Moldovan Prime Minister and Future of Moldova Party leader Vasile Tarlev (L) with former Moldovan President and Party of Socialist leader Igor Dodon (C) shout during a protest in front of Central Electoral Commission of Moldova in Chisinau, Moldova, 28 September 2025. Moldova held parliamentary elections on 28 September, in a high-stakes vote that will determine whether the country continues on its pro-European path. EPA/DUMITRU DORU
Updated: November 2, 2025 - 07:58
