With 62% of ballots counted, Moldova’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) is leading in the parliamentary elections, a vote widely seen as decisive for the country’s future direction.
According to official data, PAS secured 43% of the vote, while the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc gained 28.9%.
The election posed a stark choice for citizens: continuing Moldova’s path toward the European Union or turning back toward Russia, amid widespread reports of Kremlin interference.
President Maia Sandu’s PAS faced off against the Patriotic Bloc, led by Igor Dodon, Moldova’s former president, who has long maintained close ties to Moscow. Dodon labeled the current democratically elected government as a “criminal regime” and claimed his bloc had actually won. He called for a “peaceful protest” outside Parliament on Monday.
PAS leader Igor Grosu thanked voters for their “decisive” choice, saying it would shape Moldova’s future far beyond the next four years. He also denounced what he described as Russian-backed attempts to disrupt the election process.
Authorities confirmed over 1.59 million voters participated (51.9% turnout), with diaspora turnout remaining strong despite reports of bomb threats and attempts at destabilization.
The vote takes place as Moldova, a key ally of Ukraine, continues to face pressure from Moscow, including disinformation campaigns, financial meddling, and alleged training of groups abroad to incite unrest.
Moldova obtained EU candidate status in 2022 and opened accession talks last year. However, its aspirations are complicated by the breakaway Transnistria region, where Russian troops remain stationed since the early 1990s.
