Moldova Chooses European Path
Despite concerted Russian influence operations, vote indicates “clear direction” toward EU integration.
Also see
Elections Under Siege: Moldova’s Battle for Truth
Democracy under threat amid a dangerous escalation in the information war.
Moldova looks set to continue on its pro-European trajectory after the ruling Action and Solidarity party (PAS) held on to its parliamentary majority in key elections this week.
The PAS, led by Maiai Sandu, won just over 50 per cent of the votes, while the Moscow-leaning alliance led by former president Igor Dodon won around 24 per cent.
Mariana Aricova of the Independent Countering Disinformation Centre (ICDC), IWPR’s one-stop-shop for media and civil society to identify and tackle foreign malign influence operations, explains the significance of this historic election.
What are the significance of these polls?
The 2025 parliamentary elections in Moldova reaffirmed the country’s democratic trajectory and pro-European orientation. After processing 99 per cent of the votes, the ruling, pro-European PAS secures a majority in parliament with 55 seats, followed by the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc with 26 seats, the Alternative Bloc with 8 seats, and both Our Party and Democracy at Home with six seats each.
In addition, 37 per cent of lawmakers will be women, which is slightly fewer than in the 2021 elections but still much more than in many other countries.
The electoral process itself delivered key outputs: a five-party parliament, a transparent vote administered under proportional representation rules, and meaningful diaspora participation, which once again proved decisive for the outcome. The process was widely recognised as free and fair, though it unfolded against a backdrop of disinformation campaigns and concerns over external interference.
How did this external interference manifest?
Russian influence operations were notably active, utilising AI-generated content and covert media outlets to disseminate pro-Russian narratives and undermine pro-EU sentiments. These campaigns targeted both domestic voters and the Moldovan diaspora, aiming to sway public opinion and discredit the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS).
Police in Moldova reported alleged vote-buying schemes during the elections, involving payments from Russian-linked accounts to voters, especially those in the diaspora. Recipients were reportedly offered financial incentives to support pro-Russian candidates and share anti-EU messages online.
Predictions ahead of the vote envisaged a much stronger result for the pro-Russian bloc. What happened?
Predictions ahead of the vote suggested that the pro-Russian bloc would perform much stronger, but the results showed a different picture. Many voters, both inside Moldova and in the diaspora, seemed to recognise the stakes for the country’s future and the need to act collectively. Rather than splitting their support across multiple pro-Russian or opposition parties, a significant portion of the electorate rallied around the ruling PAS, reinforcing its parliamentary majority. This reflects a growing awareness among citizens that unity and coordinated engagement at the ballot box are crucial for safeguarding democratic progress and the country’s European trajectory.
These results were also made possible by a combination of activities and inputs, including effective electoral management by the Central Electoral Commission, international observation and support, active involvement of civil society, and state measures to secure information systems. Campaign debates were dominated by questions of EU accession, corruption, governance and geopolitical alignment.
It is interesting to note that 30 per cent of the 12,017 voters from Transnistria who took part in the elections gave their votes to PAS, clearly indicating that they are more interested in the European future than in the Russian past. However, PAS only received about three per cent of the votes in the autonomous republic of Gagauzia.
What are the next steps for the PAS government?
In the coming years, the success of these elections will be judged by clear signs: how quickly new laws are brought in line with EU standards, how well anti-corruption reforms are carried out, whether people’s trust in state institutions improves, and how strongly Moldova can resist external threats such as disinformation or cyberattacks. The elections gave Moldova stronger democratic institutions and a clear direction toward reform and EU integration. Still, the government must show real progress, because political divisions at home and pressures from outside remain serious challenges.
This publication has been produced with financial support from Norway. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway.
