As it stands now, Moldova’s ruling pro-Western party, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), is heading towards a historic win. They have now won more than 50% of the vote in three consecutive parliamentary elections. This outcome likely sets PAS up to re-enter a new, pro-European majority parliament, bolstering the party’s pro-European, reformist agenda. It will be an election under severe duress. Allegations of Russian interference and charges of an orchestrated disinformation campaign back home place the integrity of the electoral process in jeopardy.
President Maia Sandu, who heads PAS, has publicly warned of attempts by Russia to meddle in the election outcome. She said that Moscow seeks to put in place a government there that does their bidding. They intend to do this through a massive, coordinated campaign of lies. Moreover, tensions between Moldova and Russia have recently intensified. Sandu noted that Russia poured in “hundreds of millions of euros” to ensure a different outcome in the elections.
The electoral process met with persistent challenges, including a substantive cyberattack on election infrastructure. Prime Minister Dorin Recean reported that the Central Election Commission’s website and several polling stations abroad were attacked, disrupting the voting process. National Security Adviser Stanislav Secrieru informed us about a number of events that hijacked the entire election day. These ranged from cyberattacks to bomb threats to illicit interstate transportation of voters.
As much as they have tried to intervene, Moldovan voters have overwhelmingly supported the pro-European agenda championed by PAS. The recent election results are a deep confirmation of this desire. PAS won the election in a landslide, receiving more than 50% of the total vote. By contrast, its chief competitor, the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, came in a distant second with under 25%. Igor Dodon, leader of the winning Patriotic Bloc, expressed his disappointment in the results. He encouraged his supporters to mobilize for demonstrations outside the Moldovan parliament in Chisinau.
International reactions to the election results have been quite polarized. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, congratulated Moldova’s electorate on their decision, recognizing PAS’s victory as a step towards strengthening ties with Europe. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has personally congratulated her on her “very important victory.” His statement reflects the considerable regional ramifications of Moldova’s geopolitical direction.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had a much harsher response to the result and what it means for continued tensions between Russia and Moldova. Former Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu described the situation as a “tsunami” of Russian influence in Moldova, citing cash, cryptocurrency, and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining democratic processes.
After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova has continued to chart a difficult course between the East and West. The recent election reflects not only domestic political dynamics but the broader struggle between Western aspirations and Russian influence in Eastern Europe. The result of this election could embolden Moldova’s path to deepening relations with the European Union. This sticks out especially as fears Russian aggression towards the region is on the rise.
The integrity of our electoral process has honestly come under fire with accusations of cyberattacks and outside government pressure. Moldova has long struggled to secure its energy supplies, a plight exacerbated by Russia’s recent gas cut-off. These political changes underscore the precarious position Moldova finds itself amid its deep-rooted connections to Russia and aspirations to join Europe’s fold.
