EU leaders welcome Moldova’s pro-European election result

European Union leaders have welcomed the victory of Moldova’s pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), led by president Maia Sandu, after parliamentary elections on Sunday.

With nearly all votes counted, PAS secured 50.1 per cent of the vote, keeping its absolute majority in parliament. The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc finished second with 24.2 per cent. Turnout was just under 52 per cent.

The elections took place amid allegations of large-scale Russian interference, including disinformation campaigns and attempts to buy votes. Moscow has denied the claims.

European Council president Antonio Costa said Moldovans had chosen “democracy, reform and a European future, in the face of pressure and interference from Russia.” Commission president Ursula von der Leyen praised voters for rejecting “fear and division”, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said no outside power could stop a nation “committed to freedom.”

Moldova has been an EU candidate country since 2022, with accession talks opening in 2024. Sandu hopes to secure full membership by 2030.

^{A man casts his ballot during the parliamentary elections in Chisinau © Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP}