The pro-European party of Moldovan President Maia Sandu has claimed victory and a new majority in parliament in Sunday's elections seen as critical for her country's future path to the EU. Sandu had warned of 'massive Russian interference' after voting, saying the future of Moldova, flanked by Ukraine and Romania, was at stake. Igor Grosu, the leader of Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which secured about 50% of the vote, stated that Russia had thrown 'everything it had' at the election. Opposition leader Igor Dodon had claimed victory even before results came in and called for protests outside parliament in the capital Chisinau on Monday.
However, the win by PAS is emphatic: Monday's protest was tiny and mostly attended by pensioners. With 99.9% of the 1.6 million votes counted, PAS had 50.17% of the vote - far ahead of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc on 24.18%, according to Moldova's central electoral commission. Turnout was 52%, higher than in recent years.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result, stating, 'You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom.' Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Sandu, saying she had 'saved democracy' and 'stopped Russia in its attempts to take control over the whole region.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also affirmed that the elections showed that Russia's destabilizing activity loses, while Moldova in Europe wins.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued that hundreds of thousands of Moldovans were deprived of the opportunity to vote due to limited polling stations.
Despite signs of tension, including bomb scares at polling stations, citizens expressed their desire for a future aligned with Europe over Russia. However, many in the pro-Russian Transnistria enclave reported feeling harassed during the voting process.
Concerns over widespread disinformation efforts linked to Russia have also emerged, adding to the already tense political climate in Moldova. As the nation grapples with escalating challenges, President Sandu emphasized the importance of democratic participation, urging citizens not to 'play with your vote or you'll lose everything.'
However, the win by PAS is emphatic: Monday's protest was tiny and mostly attended by pensioners. With 99.9% of the 1.6 million votes counted, PAS had 50.17% of the vote - far ahead of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc on 24.18%, according to Moldova's central electoral commission. Turnout was 52%, higher than in recent years.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result, stating, 'You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom.' Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Sandu, saying she had 'saved democracy' and 'stopped Russia in its attempts to take control over the whole region.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also affirmed that the elections showed that Russia's destabilizing activity loses, while Moldova in Europe wins.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov argued that hundreds of thousands of Moldovans were deprived of the opportunity to vote due to limited polling stations.
Despite signs of tension, including bomb scares at polling stations, citizens expressed their desire for a future aligned with Europe over Russia. However, many in the pro-Russian Transnistria enclave reported feeling harassed during the voting process.
Concerns over widespread disinformation efforts linked to Russia have also emerged, adding to the already tense political climate in Moldova. As the nation grapples with escalating challenges, President Sandu emphasized the importance of democratic participation, urging citizens not to 'play with your vote or you'll lose everything.'
