Moldova's President Maia Sandu celebrates after her pro-European party (PAS) secured a majority in parliament, paving the way for EU membership talks. Image: NurPhoto Agency.
(The Post News) – Moldova’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has obtained a parliamentary majority, solidifying the nation’s pro-European trajectory and pursuing its bid for 2030 membership in the European Union.
After counting 99% of the vote, PAS secured 50.2%, enough for 55 of the 101 seats in parliament. The Patriotic Bloc, a pro-Moscow party, gained only 24.2%. EU accession has been backed by President Maia Sandu, who hailed the victory as a breakthrough. “Our path to the EU is guaranteed. Moldova will be free and democratic,” she said at a news conference.
Russia Accused of Election Interference
The election was conducted in the face of allegations of Russian interference, with Prime Minister Dorin Recean declaring the election “the final battle for the future of our country.” Voting day was marred by bomb threats abroad, hacking attacks on election infrastructure, and police arrests of potential provocateurs. Moscow has rejected the allegations, stating Moldova’s government had concocted “anti-Russian hysteria” as an attempt to rally support.
Global leaders quickly praised Moldova’s democratic choice:UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Sandu, saying Moldovans had chosen “a path of freedom.” French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed support: “France stands alongside Moldova in its European project and its drive for freedom and sovereignty.” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote, “Moldova, you’ve done it again. Europe. Democracy. Freedom. Our door is open.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the PAS’s victory meant Russia did not manage to destabilize Moldova.
Sunday’s election was dubbed the most important since Moldova’s separation from the Soviet Union in 1991 by PAS leaders. It was held with over 50% turnout, with women outpacing men. 18-year-old first-time voter Ana-Maria Orsu was hopeful: “I think we have a good future ahead of us.”
Moldova’s Road to the EU
Moldova, a 2.5 million nation between Romania and Ukraine, applied for EU membership in 2022. It’s an EU candidate country, but joining requires widespread reforms and the unanimous agreement of the EU members.
The nation also bore economic pressure because of the war in Ukraine, having taken the largest number of refugees per capita and poverty rising from 25% in 2021 to 33.6% in 2025, as reported by the UN World Food Programme. In spite of the setback, Sandu declares that Moldova’s way forward is evident: “Moldova’s future must be decided by Moldovans, not Moscow.”
Since PAS gained a clear majority, Moldova sent an unmistakable message: it wishes to be closer to Europe, not Moscow.
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