In a significant turn of events, Moldova's pro-European Union government appears to be on the verge of securing a majority in a crucial parliamentary election, a development that could reshape the nation’s political landscape. As the final results began to emerge on September 29, 2025, it became clear that the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) was leading comfortably against its Russian-aligned competitor, the Patriotic Bloc. This outcome is particularly reassuring for the government, which is striving to maintain its distance from Moscow's influence.
With over 99% of the votes counted, PAS garnered an impressive 49.99% of the ballots, while the Patriotic Bloc trailed significantly with 24.28%. This distribution of votes indicates that PAS is well-positioned to achieve the essential majority in the 101-seat parliament, which is crucial for avoiding a potentially unstable coalition and for advancing Moldova's aspirations to join the European Union—a process that demands extensive legislative work over several years.
Other parties likely to enter the parliament include the nominally pro-European Alternative bloc and the populist Our Party, which received approximately 8% and 6.2% of the votes, respectively. An official final count is anticipated later today.
A Tense Election Atmosphere
The lead-up to this election, which PAS leaders have described as the most pivotal since Moldova gained independence, was fraught with accusations of misconduct from both sides. President Maia Sandu's administration alerted voters to alleged attempts by Russia to manipulate the election through widespread disinformation campaigns and vote-buying tactics. Stanislav Secrieru, Sandu's national security adviser, reported that the election infrastructure and government websites faced cyberattacks, and there were even false bomb threats made at polling stations both domestically and abroad.
In response to these claims, Moscow has firmly denied any involvement in meddling with Moldova's electoral process. On the eve of the election, Igor Dodon, co-leader of the Patriotic Bloc and a former president of Moldova, called for protests outside parliament, alleging that Sandu intended to annul the election results, although he did not provide any supporting evidence for this assertion. Authorities are now closely monitoring whether Dodon will act on his threat and how many supporters he might rally.
In the days leading up to the election, officials took the controversial step of barring two pro-Russian parties from participating, citing allegations of illegal funding.
Navigating Between East and West
As the election results unfold, authorities have expressed concerns about potential unrest, attributing these fears to Russian-backed efforts to incite disruption should the election not favor the Patriotic Bloc. Moldova, a former Soviet republic with a population of 2.4 million, has been significantly affected by the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine, accusations of Russian interference, and energy shortages. The country has historically oscillated between aligning with Russia and pursuing closer ties with Europe.
Opposition groups, particularly the Patriotic Bloc, have sought to capitalize on public dissatisfaction stemming from economic hardships and the slow pace of reforms—issues that have been exacerbated by what officials describe as pervasive disinformation. Inflation remains stubbornly high at around 7%, and citizens are grappling with increased costs for imported energy.
However, the unexpectedly strong performance of PAS in this election suggests that its message of European integration and a decisive break from Russian influence continues to resonate with a significant portion of the electorate.
As we reflect on these developments, one must ask: What does this mean for Moldova's future? Will the pro-EU stance prevail in the long run, or will the opposition find ways to regain influence? We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
