Post by : Rameen Ariff

Chisinau: The pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by Moldovan President Maia Sandu, has claimed victory in parliamentary elections, securing a fresh majority in what many view as a decisive moment for the country’s European future.

With nearly all votes counted, PAS won around 50% of the vote, giving it a clear lead over the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc, which gained less than 25%. This result ensures PAS will control 55 seats in the 101-member parliament, enough to form a government without coalition support. Voter turnout reached 52%, the highest in recent years.

President Sandu described the election as critical, warning of “massive Russian interference” in the process. Igor Grosu, the head of PAS, said Russia had deployed all possible means to influence the outcome, but Moldovans had chosen a European path.

The victory was welcomed internationally. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the result, calling it a clear choice for “Europe, democracy, and freedom.” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Sandu had “saved democracy” and stopped Russia from expanding its influence in the region.

However, opposition leader Igor Dodon, a pro-Russian figure, rejected the results and declared victory even before official tallies were announced. He urged his supporters to protest outside parliament, accusing the government of harassment and blocking voters from the pro-Russian Transnistria region.

The tense atmosphere was underscored by bomb scares reported at polling stations across Moldova and in several countries with large Moldovan diaspora communities, including Italy, Romania, Spain, and the US. Police also arrested suspects accused of plotting unrest linked to Moscow-backed groups.

Moldova, a small nation sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, has faced mounting challenges since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The war has heightened security fears, while rising prices and persistent corruption have strained daily life.

Despite these difficulties, many voters voiced support for staying on the European course. “We see what happens in Ukraine, and we know our future is with Europe,” said one voter in Chisinau.

Moldova has been an EU candidate since 2022, and Sandu’s renewed majority strengthens her mandate to push forward with reforms aimed at integration. Yet, tensions remain high, particularly in the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria, where many residents remain loyal to Moscow.

For now, Sandu’s victory marks a major step in her promise to lead Moldova firmly toward Europe, even as the country continues to grapple with internal divisions and external pressure from Russia.

#world news #Global News