According to official results, PAS obtained 50.20% of the votes and secured 55 seats from the 101 parliament. The patriotic pro-Russian block was in second place, with 24.17%
The Pro-European Party Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, won the legislative elections in This Sunday (28), consolidating its position in Parliament despite losing chairs in relation to the previous legislature. The result reinforces the country’s bet in the process of adherence to, in a claim marked by allegations of Russian interference.
According to official results, PAS obtained 50.20% of the votes and secured 55 seats from the 101 parliament. The patriotic pro-Russian block was in second place, with 24.17%. In 2021, the pro-Europeans had won 63 chairs. “Voting is a strong mandate for Moldova’s adhesion process to the EU,” said Maia Sandu. Parliament President Igor Grosso said the victory was reached after an “extraordinarily difficult struggle” against the attempt of Russian influence, which would have resorted to “dirty methods.”
European leaders celebrated the result. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow “could not destabilize Moldova, even after spending huge resources to undermine it.” European Council President Antonio Costa stressed that the country chose a “European future,” and France has congratulated voters by the “sovereign” decision. Moscow reacted by denying any interference. The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, classified the accusations as “cynical” and unfounded.
Despite the victory, analysts warn of weaknesses. Expert Andrei Curararu of the Watchdog.MD Study Center said PAS has gained a “fragile” majority, vulnerable to Kremlin’s political maneuvers, such as protests and attempts to co -opt for parliamentarians. The election was marked by allegations of buying votes, disorders and an “unprecedented disinformation campaign” originated in Russia, according to the European Union. The opposition disputes the result: Igor Dodon, one of the patriotic bloc leaders, accused the manipulation PAS and announced dozens of funds to the Electoral Commission.
With just over 2.4 million inhabitants, Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe and faces dilemmas between internal economic difficulties and the approach project with the European bloc. While part of the population celebrates the pro-UE path, another expresses the soviet period and fears of the impacts of integration.
*With information from AFP
