The pro-European party of Moldovan President Maia Sandu has claimed victory and a new majority in parliament in Sunday's elections seen as critical for her country's future path to the EU.
Sandu warned of massive Russian interference after voting, stating that the future of Moldova, which is bordered by Ukraine and Romania, hung in the balance.
Igor Grosu, the leader of Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which secured about 50% of the vote, asserted that Russia had utilized every possible method to influence the election.
Despite Dodon's premature claims of victory and calls for protests outside parliament, PAS's victory was significant, with results showing they had 50.17% of the votes compared to the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc's 24.18%, according to Moldova's central electoral commission.
Turnout was reported at 52%, signaling greater public engagement than in previous elections.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support, stating, You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commended Sandu for safeguarding democracy from Russian influence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that the elections demonstrated a defeat for Russian destabilization efforts.
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that many Moldovan citizens were effectively disenfranchised in Russia due to a lack of polling opportunities.
Amid the elections, there were reports of bomb threats at polling stations in various countries, adding to the already heightened tensions surrounding the voting process.
The Sandu-led government, having previously achieved around 52.8% of the vote four years ago, now prepares to form a government unencumbered by coalition negotiations.
In the days leading to the elections, there were reports of efforts by Russia to disseminate disinformation and potentially engage in vote-buying practices.
One Moldovan voter expressed the sentiment that their choice reflected a desire for a European future over a Russian past.
As Moldova continues to deal with external pressures and domestic challenges, the recent election results reflect a critical alignment towards Europe amidst persistent geopolitical tensions.
