Kharkiv, Ukraine – Moldovans voted to continue on their path toward European Union membership in pivotal elections last Sunday, September 28.
Described as the country’s “final battle” before EU membership and mired in claims of Russian interference, Sunday’s result has provided a welcome boost to President Maia Sandu’s pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) which had been expecting to lose its parliamentary majority until early Monday morning as results rolled in.
A slim majority of 50.2% of citizens cast their vote for PAS, trampling over pro-Russian challenger Patriotic Electoral Bloc that received just under a quarter of votes cast. As a result, PAS will receive 55 of Moldova’s 101 parliamentary seats, a majority that will allow it to continue pushing its agenda of total EU alignment by 2028.
Due to Moldova’s strategic position sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, the possibility of a pro-Russian government had been alarming.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had warned at the UN General Assembly just four days prior to the election that “Europe cannot afford to lose Moldova”, while Sandu expressed concern that victory for pro-Russian parties could result in the country being used as “a launchpad for incursion into the Odesa region [of Ukraine],” by the Russian military.
The victory and parliamentary majority for Sandu’s party is, therefore, a relief for the country’s neighbours. For Ukraine, it gives its EU membership aspirations a boost while also avoiding potential security threats emanating from Moldova.
For Romania, an EU and NATO member state with whom Moldova shares a language and common history, the presence of a friendly government in the country is a boon for President Nicușor Dan, who had been openly backing PAS before the elections.
Such strong support for Europe in a country often seen as being on the periphery of European affairs is a good sign for EU officials too, especially as the bloc eyes up potential new members before the next European Parliament elections in 2029.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas celebrated that the result came “despite Russia’s massive efforts to spread disinformation and buy votes, while European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Moldovans by stating: “you made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom.”
Meanwhile, Russia has expressed dismay at PAS’ resounding victory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to clarify whether the country would recognise the election results, saying that “Moldovans themselves should probably sort this out … They’re talking about possible election violations.”
Defeated challenger Igor Dodon suggested that “the authorities may have intervened politically in the voting and counting process,” after claiming victory for his party and holding a small rally outside the nation’s parliament.
And the self-described “Ministry for Foreign Affairs” in Transdniestria- an unrecognised State and the face of Russian occupation in Moldova- also commented on the election, alleging that Moldovan authorities created artificial traffic jams at the administrative boundary to restrict the ability for “residents of Transdniestria with a secondary Moldovan citizenship” to vote.
The result has come amid huge tension as external powers have battled for influence over the country: from bomb threats disrupting voting abroad, cyber attacks aimed at disrupting voting, police raids on saboteur groups, the crackdown on illicit funding, and Dodon’s illegitimate declaration of victory, these elections have tested Moldova’s institutions like never before.
But with these results comes the potential for EU membership, a bright new future which Moldovans have shown they want. With access to the Single Market and Cohesion Funds that could jumpstart the small country’s economy – the second worst-performing economy in Europe after war-torn Ukraine – Moldova could now be ready to turn over a new leaf.
Featured image:
Image: Parliamentary elections in Moldova
Author: Raimond Spekking
Source: European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity
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