On 28 September, general elections were held in Moldova, considered decisive for the former Soviet socialist republic.
Author: Asier Sánchez Hernández
On this occasion, the pro-European sector emerged victorious. Solidarity Action (PAS), the party of the current president, Maia Sandu, managed to maintain an absolute majority with 50.16% of the votes. Thus, the country has chosen to follow the European path and, consequently, distance itself from Moscow. For its part, the pro-Russian sector, the Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP), won 24.19% of the votes, thus consolidating its position as the main opposition party. The National Alternative Movement came in third with 7.97%. In fourth place was Our Party, with 6.2%. Democracy at Home, meanwhile, has managed to overcome the 5% electoral threshold (5.72%) and will be able to hold seats in parliament.
The absolute majority achieved by Maia Sandu’s party will allow Moldova to progress in its bid to join the European Union, a task that will require years of legislative adaptation and the maintenance of good relations with Brussels. However, it should be noted that Solidarity Action has lost support since 2021. The economic difficulties facing the country are one of the main causes. Moldova is among the poorest nations on the European continent. This, combined with various factors such as the war in Ukraine and Russian interference, has led to high polarisation among the population.
Polarisation aside, the election campaign seems to have borne fruit and has managed to mobilise a considerable number of Moldovans, with a turnout of 52.21% (more than 1.6 million people in the country and 270,000 abroad). It seems that it is among the latter, abroad, that the PAS enjoys the greatest popularity, as it has obtained a considerable 78.51% of the votes. In the capital, Chisinau, it has also won with 52.68%.
However, as is to be expected in the controversial world of politics, the elections are not without controversy. The pro-European bloc has denounced a smear and destabilisation campaign by Russia with the aim of wresting power from the PAS. Among the various strategies denounced by the government are disinformation campaigns and illegal financing of opposition groups. The opposition, for its part, has returned the accusations, alleging that it has suffered institutional persecution and various manipulation strategies.
Adding further tension to the political context, the nation’s former president, Igor Dodon, of the Patriotic Bloc, has proclaimed himself the winner. Due to this conviction, he has urged citizens to hold a peaceful demonstration in front of parliament ‘to defend the citizens’ vote’. The region of Transnistria, a pro-Russian territory critical of the country’s orientation towards the European Union, has accused the government of attempting to limit the vote of the region’s residents.
In short, we can see how the elections have reflected both the country’s pro-European orientation and the deep internal divisions and external influence on its politics. The PAS victory offers an opportunity to advance European integration, although economic challenges and deep social polarisation remain obstacles to be taken into account. Furthermore, tensions with Russia and the particular situation of regions such as Transnistria show that the road to political stability and national cohesion will be long and complex. In short, Moldova finds itself in a critical situation for the future of the nation, in which the decisions taken today will determine the country’s course for years to come.
Sources: