Moldova’s election authorities recently announced the disqualification of the pro-Russian political party ‘Greater Moldova’ from the upcoming parliamentary elections on September 28, 2025. This decision, made on Friday, September 26, came amid suspicions of illegal financial activities.
This marks the second pro-Russian party to be excluded just days before the vote, highlighting growing concerns about alleged Russian interference in the country’s electoral integrity and its path toward European Union membership. Moldova’s Central Electoral Commission cited investigations by police, security, and intelligence services, which indicated that ‘Greater Moldova’ had utilized illicit and foreign funding.
Victoria Furtuna, leader of ‘Greater Moldova’, strongly criticized the decision as biased and stated her intention to appeal, according to the Moldpress media outlet. The election authority found that the party had concealed financial resources and was suspected of offering money to voters to influence the election results.
Furthermore, officials suspect the party may be operating as a front for the previously outlawed political group led by Ilan Shor, a pro-Russian business magnate who is currently a fugitive residing in Moscow and denies any wrongdoing.
The parliamentary vote on September 28, 2025, is widely considered a critical moment for Moldova, a former Soviet republic and an official candidate country for the European Union.
The current pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, has maintained a parliamentary majority since 2021. However, recent polls suggest that the PAS could lose its majority, as opposition parties are attracting voters who are increasingly worried about the rising cost of living, growing poverty, and a struggling economy.
Analysts believe that a scenario where the PAS is forced to govern in a coalition could significantly complicate their efforts to achieve Moldova’s goal of joining the EU by 2030.
Earlier last week, another pro-Russian faction, ‘Heart of Moldova,’ which was part of the Patriotic bloc, was also prohibited from participating in the elections.
Russia maintains that it does not meddle in the domestic affairs of other nations.