Moldova's Pro-EU Party Wins Landslide Election Amid Russian Interference Allegations

Moldova's Pro-EU Party Wins Election Amid Claims of Russian Interference CHISINAU, Moldova - The pro-European Union Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has decisively won the parliamentary election in Moldova, securing 50.2 percent of the vote, according to official electoral data released on Monday. The PAS, which has been a key supporter of closer ties with the European Union, emerged as the clear winner in an election marred by allegations of Russian interference. The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc came second with 24.2 percent of the vote, followed by the Alternativa Bloc and the populist Our Party. "We are proud of our victory, which is a testament to the Moldovan people's desire for European integration," said PAS leader Maia Sandu in a statement. "We will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen our country's ties with the EU and ensure that our citizens benefit from this partnership." The election was seen as a crucial test of Moldova's commitment to its pro-European trajectory, which has been a key aspect of the government's policy since 2019. The PAS had campaigned on a platform of further integration with the EU, including the adoption of the bloc's laws and regulations. However, the campaign was also marked by allegations of Russian interference, with opposition parties accusing Moscow of using its influence to sway the outcome of the election. The claims were denied by the Russian government, but they added to an already tense atmosphere in the run-up to the vote. "This election has been a choice between Europe and Russia," said Vladimir Plahotniuc, leader of the Our Party, which came fourth with 13.1 percent of the vote. "We believe that Moldova's future lies in its European integration, but we also recognize the importance of maintaining good relations with our neighbors, including Russia." The election was widely seen as a referendum on Moldova's relationship with Europe and Russia, with many voters casting their ballots as a way to express their views on the country's future direction. With the PAS set to form the next government, attention will now turn to the implementation of its policy agenda. The party has pledged to continue its efforts to strengthen ties with the EU, including the adoption of the bloc's laws and regulations. The outcome of the election is also likely to have implications for Moldova's relations with Russia, which has been a key player in the country's politics since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Russian government had been seen as supporting the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc, but the party's poor showing may indicate a shift in Moscow's influence over Moldovan politics. The electoral commission is expected to announce final results later this week, following which the PAS will begin the process of forming a new government. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*