CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova’s pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has secured a significant victory in the parliamentary elections, outperforming pro-Russian parties. With almost all votes counted, PAS won around 50.1% of the vote, while a coalition of pro-Russian groups garnered 24.2%.
This election was seen as a pivotal moment for Moldova, presenting a clear choice between aligning with the European Union or returning to Russian influence. PAS’s win means they will likely secure about 55 of the 101 seats in parliament.
President Maia Sandu, who founded PAS in 2016, is expected to stick with Prime Minister Dorin Recean, an economist who has navigated the country through various crises since early 2023. Recean has held multiple key roles, including defense adviser to Sandu.
The election results suggest a strong preference among Moldovans for a European path. Cristian Cantir, an associate professor at Oakland University, highlighted that PAS’s win represents a major boost for pro-European forces. “This outcome allows PAS to avoid forming a potentially unstable coalition, which could slow necessary reforms for EU integration,” he noted.
Interestingly, this election occurred against a backdrop of claims from Moldovan authorities about Russian attempts to sabotage the vote. Moldova applied for EU membership in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was granted candidate status later that year. In recent months, they’ve faced a barrage of cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and alleged vote-buying schemes targeting the election.
PAS campaigned on pledges to move closer to the EU, modernize infrastructure, and tackle corruption. They aim to sign an accession treaty with the EU by 2028 and double citizens’ incomes. According to the Central Electoral Commission, voter turnout was about 52.1%, with a notable number of ballots cast by Moldovans living abroad.
This election’s high stakes were evident, especially with incidents like bomb threats at polling stations and reports of unrest planning. Despite these challenges, PAS leader Igor Grosu expressed confidence in the people’s spirit, emphasizing that the results would shape Moldova’s future for years to come.
In conclusion, Moldova’s election outcome shows a clear desire for change, reflecting a broader trend in Eastern Europe where countries seek to align more closely with the West amid rising tensions with Russia.
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Maia Sandu, Moldova, Europe, European Union, Russia, Elections, General news, Global elections, World news, Politics, Igor Grosu, Democracy, Voting
