Moldova’s pro-European party appears poised for a significant victory following a fiercely contested election, marked by allegations of Russian interference. This outcome is expected to solidify their majority in Parliament, in what many observers are calling the most pivotal campaign in the nation’s recent history.
The anticipated win, awaiting final official confirmation on Monday, could greatly advance Moldova’s ambition to join the European Union. Had parties aligned with Russia gained substantial ground, this crucial step towards E.U. membership would have faced considerable jeopardy.
Despite being a small nation of just 2.4 million people, Moldova’s election garnered immense global attention. Positioned strategically between Romania and Ukraine, its political trajectory holds significant weight as the conflict in Ukraine continues. The vote essentially served as a referendum, forcing Moldovans to choose between a European future and one leaning towards Russia.
The projected success of the pro-European party suggests that even pressing domestic issues, such as high energy costs and widespread poverty, were not enough to derail their momentum and European aspirations.
A map visually represents Moldova’s geographical context, illustrating its location between Romania and Ukraine, with Russia situated to its northeast. This geographic placement highlights the nation’s critical geopolitical importance.
An image shows Igor Grosu, a prominent figure in the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity, addressing a gathering in Chisinau, Moldova, on Sunday. (Credit: Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press)
This election, determining the 101 representatives for Moldova’s Parliament, unfolded during a tense period in the country’s geopolitical landscape. While Moldova historically shares deep ties with Russia, it has increasingly gravitated towards the European Union in recent years.
The shift began notably in 2020, with the election of the staunchly pro-European Maia Sandu as president.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Moldovans saw a closer alignment with Europe as the best defense against potential future domination by Moscow. Moldova formally applied for E.U. membership, and in October of last year, a referendum solidified support for joining the bloc into the Moldovan Constitution.
However, that measure passed by a remarkably narrow margin of 50.4 percent to 49.5 percent. This razor-thin outcome underscored the very real possibility that President Sandu’s party could lose ground in this latest election.
An image captures soldiers awaiting their turn to cast votes in Chisinau on Sunday. (Credit: Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press)
Pro-Russian parties campaigned heavily on issues of national security and sovereignty. They argued that President Sandu’s policies risked dragging Moldova into conflict with Russia, that closer ties with the European Union would erode Moldova’s distinct identity, and that the ruling party was out of step with traditional family values.
They also capitalized on public concern over soaring prices, particularly for gas.
These messages resonated with a segment of the electorate. For example, Palina Velimboskaia, a 62-year-old accountant in Chisinau, expressed her fear that the European Union would instigate a war and draw Moldova into it. Outside a polling station, she criticized Ms. Sandu’s party, labeling it a “dictatorship.”
Her sentiments closely mirrored the themes heavily promoted in the advertising campaigns of the pro-Russian factions.
President Sandu’s party accused Russia of attempting to influence the election results by funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into voter bribery schemes and orchestrating extensive disinformation campaigns. This included YouTube videos that falsely linked Ms. Sandu to fabricated scandals, such as an illegal celebrity sperm purchase, and widespread false reports of vote rigging.
On election Sunday, the Moldovan government reported facing both cyberattacks on its electoral systems and a series of hoax bomb threats at polling sites in cities across Europe and even the U.S., including Rome, Brussels, Bucharest, Romania, and Asheville, N.C. The Moldovan diaspora in Western countries is a crucial base of support for pro-European politicians.
Authorities also announced the detention of three individuals suspected of planning to incite chaos at a post-election protest, who were found with “pyrotechnics and inflammables” in their vehicle.
Throughout the campaign, Ms. Sandu’s party consistently highlighted Russia’s disruptive influence in Moldova. They argued that aligning more closely with Russia would leave Moldova vulnerable during a precarious geopolitical period.
“Moldova is in danger,” President Sandu declared outside a Chisinau polling station on Sunday, surrounded by journalists. “Russia can do a lot of harm. It wants to control us in order to use us against other states.”
An image depicts President Maia Sandu of Moldova speaking outdoors at a microphone, surrounded by a large crowd of people, many holding up cameras, in Chisinau on Sunday. (Credit: Vladislav Culiomza/Reuters)
Thanks to its candidate status, Moldova is already receiving financial assistance from the European Union. These E.U. connections have become increasingly vital, particularly as the United States, under the Trump administration, has reduced foreign aid to the region.
However, the country still grapples with significant challenges, including sluggish economic growth. Approximately one in three Moldovans lives in poverty. While E.U. membership promises long-term economic benefits, the accession process itself demands adherence to stringent product standards and trade rules, which can prove difficult.
Several voters observed a growing polarization in Moldova’s political discourse.
“It’s more rough now, in favor of Russia,” remarked Angelina Zubac, a 61-year-old former accountant, as she entered a voting station on Sunday. She described the election as “critical.”
Her concern was that if pro-Russian factions were to gain power and the bid for E.U. membership failed, “Moldova will stagnate and go back to 40 years ago.”
Valentina Hamuraru, a 68-year-old pensioner, shared similar anxieties as she prepared to cast her vote.
“My biggest worry is that we lose what we have gained so far: freedom,” she stated.
Ruxanda Spatari contributed reporting from Chisinau.