After Sunday's 2025 parliamentary elections, Moldova has clearly declared its commitment to a European future. President Maia Sandu's pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) won 50.03 % votes and retained its majority in the 101-member parliament, according to the electoral commission. As he wrote The Guardian, the result is seen as a key test of whether the country of 2.4 million people will stay on the path to the European Union or once again lean towards Moscow.
Bans on pro-Russian parties and electoral manipulation
The elections were preceded by a dramatic campaign marked by accusations of massive Russian interference. According to Reuters Moldovan authorities have revealed that Moscow poured billions of dollars into pro-Russian parties, used propaganda and even hired Orthodox priests to encourage believers to reject PAS.
In addition, shortly before the vote, the Electoral Commission banned two major pro-Russian formations because of opaque funding. The move drew sharp reactions from the opposition and criticism from Moscow, which called the accusations of interference "baseless" and "anti-Russian".
Sandu as the face of European direction
Maia Sandu, a former World Bank economist, has built her presidential career on fighting corruption and orienting Moldova towards the EU. In 2024, she pushed through a referendum in which citizens narrowly approved enshrining European integration in the constitution. Her speech at the vote in Chisinau showed how she felt personally about the election: "Moldova is in danger and needs everyone's help. Your vote decides the future, not the votes of the bought."
The Diaspora has decided
The Moldovan diaspora, which traditionally supports pro-European parties, has played a major role. However, the voting abroad was accompanied by fake bomb threats and cyber attacks on electoral systems, according to Sandu's adviser Stanislav Secrieru. Despite these incidents, the election was completed, with a record turnout of voters outside the country.
Reaction of the opposition and Russia
Former President Igor Dodon, leader of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, scored only 24.26 %. After the results were published, he accused the government of electoral fraud and called for protests outside parliament. Moscow has described the ban on pro-Russian parties as "politically motivated" and continues to harbour oligarch Ilan Shor, who is under EU and US sanctions and is seen as a key player in destabilisation campaigns.
Europe relieved, but problems persist
Brussels and other European capitals welcome the result. As a Western diplomat quoted in The Guardian, it is "a small country with huge implications for the security of Europe". Moldova is sandwiched between Romania and war-torn Ukraine, and its stability is of strategic importance.
Sandu, however, is facing a difficult period. Inflation remains high, economic growth is weak and emigration continues. The biggest challenge will be to maintain popular support not only in Chisinau but also in pro-Russian regions such as Gagauzia and Transnistria, where Russia still maintains about 1 500 troops.
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