Western leaders have rushed to congratulate Moldova’s ruling party after it soundly beat Russian-leaning opponents in parliamentary elections, hailing it as a defeat for Kremlin attempts to drag eastern European states back into its orbit.
Moldovan president Maia Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) took 50.2 per cent of votes in Sunday’s ballot, well clear of the Patriotic Bloc led by pro-Moscow former president Igor Dodon, which took 24.17 per cent, according to full results published on Monday.
The performance of PAS was stronger than predicted in pre-election polls and is expected to give the party 55 of the 101 seats in parliament, with Patriotic Bloc taking 26 seats and the remainder divided between three other parties.
The Moldovan authorities accused Russia of trying to weaken support for PAS and undermine the elections using tactics including cyber attacks, bomb threats, bribery and disinformation, while Mr Dodon and other Moscow-friendly opposition figures said Ms Sandu and allies were using the legal system to pressure and silence critics.
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“The Moldovan people have spoken. Sunday’s election results are clear: the Moldovans are united in our desire for peace, democracy, and Europe – and in the courage to defend them,” said Ms Sandu (53), a Harvard graduate and former World Bank adviser. “This is not just a party’s victory – it is Moldova’s victory. The European path is our way forward.”
European leaders made no secret of their support for Ms Sandu, who had to fight hard last year to secure a second term as president and to win by a whisker a referendum to enshrine Moldova’s European Union membership ambition in its constitution.
“Moldova, you’ve done it again. No attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve. You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom,” said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. “Our door is open. And we will stand with you every step of the way.”
Ms Sandu warned that Russia would use an opposition victory to establish de facto control over 2.4 million-strong Moldova and destabilise neighbouring countries including war-ravaged Ukraine and EU and Nato member Romania.
“These elections showed that Russia’s destabilising activity loses, while Moldova in Europe wins. Russian subversion, constant disinformation – none of this worked,” said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “We always support Moldova. We will continue working together. Jointly overcoming challenges and building a future where our peoples have strong prospects - in security, in the economy and therefore in social life.”
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The leaders of Germany, France and Britain were among those to congratulate Ms Sandu when final results were published, and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris said her nation had “chosen a European future”.
“I congratulate the Moldovan people and authorities on a successful election process. Ireland stands with Moldova on its path to the European Union as we prepare for our 2026 EU presidency,” he added.
Supporters of Mr Dodon rallied in the centre of the capital, Chisinau, on Monday as he complained about alleged election irregularities and said Ms Sandu and PAS were clinging to power thanks to votes from the many Moldovans working in the West. Reporters said about 100 people attended the demonstration.
“Moldova’s parliament was elected by the votes of the European diaspora. Sandu, a protege of Brussels, carried out the West’s orders, deploying a full range of dirty tricks,” said Leonid Slutsky, chairman of foreign relations committee in Russia’s lower house of parliament.
“As a result of these elections, Moldova will be even more divided,” he added. “The Sandu regime is leading Moldova down the path of Ukraine.”
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