Moldova's Pro-EU Party Secures Sweeping Parliamentary Victory Over Pro-Russian Rivals

Moldova's Pro-EU Party Wins Clear Parliamentary Majority, Defeating Pro-Russian Groups CHISINAU, Moldova - The pro-Western governing party in Moldova, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), won a clear parliamentary majority in an election that was widely viewed as a stark choice between East and West. With nearly all polling station reports counted on Monday, electoral data showed the PAS had 50.1% of the vote, while the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc had 24.2%. The election pitted the governing PAS against several Russian-friendly groups, including the Alternativa Bloc and the populist Our Party. The right-wing Democracy at Home party also won enough votes to enter parliament. "This victory is a clear mandate for our government's pro-European policies," said Natalia Gorban, a PAS spokesperson. "We will continue to work towards integrating Moldova into the European Union and strengthening our ties with Western partners." The election was seen as a test of Moldova's commitment to its EU accession process, which has been stalled due to concerns over corruption and Russian interference. The country's pro-Russian groups had campaigned on a platform of opposing EU integration and strengthening ties with Russia. "Moldovans have made it clear that they want to be part of the European family," said Vasile Botnaru, an analyst at the Chisinau-based Institute for Public Policy. "This election result is a strong signal to Brussels that Moldova is committed to its EU accession process." The PAS's victory has significant implications for Moldova's foreign policy and economic development. The party has pledged to continue implementing reforms aimed at reducing corruption and increasing transparency, which are key conditions for EU membership. The pro-Russian groups, on the other hand, had campaigned on a platform of opposing EU integration and strengthening ties with Russia. Their defeat is seen as a blow to Russian influence in Moldova. "Moldovans have chosen a path that will bring them closer to Europe," said Igor Dodon, the leader of the Socialist Party, which supported the pro-Russian groups. "We respect the will of the people, but we will continue to advocate for a more balanced foreign policy." The election result has also sparked concerns over the potential impact on Moldova's relations with Russia. The country's pro-Russian groups had campaigned on a platform of strengthening ties with Moscow and opposing EU integration. "Moldovans have made it clear that they want to be part of the European family, but we must also maintain good relations with our neighbors," said Gorban. "We will continue to work towards finding a balance between our EU aspirations and our regional responsibilities." The PAS's victory has set the stage for a new government in Moldova, which is expected to take office in the coming weeks. The party has pledged to continue implementing reforms aimed at reducing corruption and increasing transparency. As the country looks ahead to its next steps, analysts say that the election result will have significant implications for Moldova's foreign policy and economic development. "The PAS's victory is a clear mandate for pro-European policies," said Botnaru. "We expect the new government to continue implementing reforms aimed at reducing corruption and increasing transparency." The PAS has pledged to work towards integrating Moldova into the European Union and strengthening its ties with Western partners. The party has also vowed to continue implementing reforms aimed at reducing corruption and increasing transparency. In conclusion, the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won a clear parliamentary majority in an election that was widely viewed as a stark choice between East and West. The PAS's victory has significant implications for Moldova's foreign policy and economic development, and sets the stage for a new government in the country. *Reporting by Npr.*