On the contrary, the pro -Russian election block of patriots, led by former President Igor Dodon, had to settle for 24.26 percent. Three smaller parties came to parliament.
The president is about confirming her mandate and strengthening her promise that Moldova can enter the European Union within ten years. In Brussels and other European capitals, the result was welcomed as a clear signal that even during the war in neighboring Ukraine and enormous pressure from Moscow, the European project in Moldova has the support of the majority of the population.
Russian interventions: From cyber attacks to the recruitment of priests
The election day itself was turbulent. The Moldovan authorities reported a wave of cyber attacks on electoral systems and false bombings at several foreign voting sites – from Brussels to Rome to the United States. The government has described this as a coordinated effort to destabilize elections and intimidate a large diaspora that traditionally supports Sandu and Passport.
According to the findings of Reuters Moscow, Moscow financed the campaign in Moldova through sophisticated networks – from the recruitment of dozens of Orthodox priests who called on the faithful to vote against the passport to manipulated videos and propaganda on social networks. Sandu warned during the vote: “The fate of our country must decide your voice, not the votes bought. Tomorrow may be too late.”
The Kremlin rejects all allegations and describes them as “rusophobic hysteria”. Russia has been occupied by separatist Transnistria since the beginning of the 1990s and has still has thousands of soldiers deployed there.
According to political scientist Cantira, hybrid attacks have become a permanent part of Moldovan policy: “Russia uses poverty, weak institutions and the presence of politicians willing to cooperate. Without a systematic strategy to weaken misinformation and prevent the impunity of these actors, Moldovan democracy will remain vulnerable.
A stable majority but heavy tests before the government
Although it was speculated before the elections that the passport might lose the majority and will have to look for coalition partners, the result eventually gave Sandu a comfortable position. The party will be able to continue the reforms and pro -European policy without having to close compromises with smaller parties.
Cantir considers this stability to be crucial: “The passport has discipline and unity. The opposition will sabotage legislation and question the steps of the government, but Sandu has enough power to ensure continuity.”
However, challenges are enormous. Moldova is struggling with high inflation, the departure of young people abroad and a stagnant economy. The energy crisis after the Russian invasion of Ukraine has hit Kišín particularly hard. Moldova was extremely dependent on the import of Russian oil and gas. It is these topics that pro -Russian politicians use to attack Sandu and say that “the EU means poverty and chaos”.
Political Scientist Cantir: Moldova will not get rid of Moscow but has a chance to build resistance
According to Cantira, a military attack by Russia is unlikely if Ukraine keeps the front near Odessa. However, the Kremlin has a number of tools in Moldova to brake its European path – from separatist Transnistria through autonomous Gagaus to a network of pro -Russian politicians and media. “Moscow will not give up Moldova. It will look for new weaknesses, from local politicians to economic problems,” he points out.
At the same time, she says that the passport has been given a unique opportunity to start building immunity to hybrid attacks. According to him, this immunity can only be achieved by combining two steps – consistent penalty of pro -Russian actors and a stronger communication strategy of the government, which must break Russian propaganda especially on social networks.
At the same time, Cantir emphasizes that the EU aid will be crucial. “Moldova has a chance to speed up the integration process and modernize its economy and the institution.
