Anna Hartz
Moldova Moves Closer to Europe After Decisive Vote
For years, Moldova has stood between two powerful directions. One path points toward Russia, the other toward Europe.
The small country has long been a place where these competing forces shape politics, daily life, and even people’s identities. On Sunday, Moldovans made their choice clear.
A Decisive Victory
President Maia Sandu’s pro-European party PAS won a decisive victory in the parliamentary election, according to DR. With almost all votes counted, PAS secured just under 50 percent of the total.
The pro-Russian challenger, the Patriotic Bloc, won about 24 percent, according to the Moldovan election commission.
The exact distribution of the 101 parliamentary seats is not yet confirmed. Still, PAS will once again hold the majority.
Votes from Abroad
Support from Moldovans living abroad played a major role. Roughly one in six ballots came from citizens outside the country.
Most of those votes went to PAS. In Denmark, for example, 1,245 Moldovans backed Sandu’s party, while only 46 supported the Patriotic Bloc.
The opposition has not accepted the outcome quietly. Igor Dodon, the pro-Russian socialist leader, gathered a small group of demonstrators outside the election commission on Monday night. He claimed the vote had been marred by fraud.
Accused Russia of Hybrid Attacks
The campaign had already been shaped by heavy outside influence. Investigations showed that networks on social media tried to steer public opinion against closer ties with Europe.
The same tactics were seen in last year’s presidential race. Sandu herself has openly accused Russia of running hybrid attacks to destabilize her country.
Disinformation Campaigns
Disinformation campaigns included claims that the EU wanted Moldova only to take control of its farmland.
Local media also revealed that some people were paid to post government-critical content online.
A Strong Shift Toward Europe
Efforts to buy influence appear to have been less successful this time. Authorities warned voters that taking part in such schemes was illegal.
Some Moldovans also demanded higher payments before agreeing to spread propaganda.
Despite these challenges, the outcome shows a strong shift toward Europe. Moldova became an official EU candidate country after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The government is now aiming for full membership by 2030.
This article is made and published by Anna Hartz, which may have used AI in the preparation
