World

Moldova’s Pro-EU Victory: How the Nation Defied Russian Interference and What Lies Ahead

Pro-EU party wins Moldova election. Despite Russian interference, Moldova heads toward EU membership.

October 1, 2025, 9:24 AM

Igor Grosu speaks into a microphone during a media interview

Igor Grosu, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, gives an interview to the media. By Victor Mogyldea / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Moldova’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured a decisive victory in recent parliamentary elections, firmly setting the country on a course towards European Union membership.

International observers confirmed that Russia’s extensive hybrid interference efforts, including disinformation and cyber-attacks, failed to manipulate the election outcome or undermine Moldova’s democratic tenacity.

Despite the clear pro-European mandate, Moldova faces persistent deep political divisions, notably strong pro-Russian support in regions like Transnistria, and ongoing challenges including corruption and Russian military occupation, on its path to EU membership.

The Story So Far

Moldova is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape marked by a strong public desire for European Union integration, which was affirmed in the recent elections, despite persistent and multifaceted interference from Russia through “hybrid threats” like disinformation and cyber-attacks aimed at undermining the nation’s sovereignty. This pro-European trajectory is further complicated by significant internal political divisions, with a notable segment of the population, particularly in separatist-leaning regions, maintaining pro-Russian sentiments, and the ongoing challenge of Russian military presence in Transnistria.

Why This Matters

Moldova’s decisive pro-European election outcome firmly commits the nation to an EU membership path, showcasing its resilience against extensive Russian hybrid interference tactics, including disinformation and cyber-attacks. However, this forward momentum is tempered by persistent deep internal political divisions and significant obstacles, such as the ongoing Russian occupation of Transnistria and the fight against corruption, which will complicate its journey towards full EU integration.

Who Thinks What?

The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and international observers from the European Parliament assert that the election delivered a decisive pro-European mandate, demonstrating Moldova’s democratic resilience against extensive Russian interference.

The pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc and some voters from Transnistria express disappointment with the election results, maintaining significant support and highlighting persistent internal divisions or skepticism towards the current government’s pro-European trajectory.

International observers from the OSCE and political scientists acknowledge the democratic tenacity of Moldova but raise concerns about last-minute legal changes in the electoral process and caution that deep political divisions, ongoing corruption, and Russian influence will present significant hurdles on the path to full EU membership.

Moldova’s recent parliamentary elections have delivered a decisive victory for the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), setting the country firmly on a course towards European Union membership despite significant foreign interference and deep internal political divisions. The vote, which took place on Sunday, October 29, 2025, was widely seen as a pivotal moment for the nation’s democratic future.

International observers lauded Moldova’s commitment to democracy amidst what they described as “unprecedented hybrid threats” from Russia. Paula Cardoso, head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) electoral observers team, highlighted tactics such as illicit financing, relentless disinformation campaigns, and brazen cybersecurity incidents aimed at manipulating Moldova’s sovereignty. Despite these challenges, she noted that the nation’s democratic tenacity prevailed, ensuring the integrity of the vote.

While the legal framework for the elections was robust, with new laws addressing electoral corruption and campaign finance, the OSCE team raised concerns about last-minute legal changes and controversial disqualifications by the Central Election Commission. These actions, according to Cardoso, “raised questions about impartiality and limited the political landscape somewhat.” Nevertheless, election day itself was largely “smooth and orderly,” with international observers praising the competence of electoral staff.

Election Results and EU Endorsement

With 100 percent of the votes counted, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured 50.2 percent of the vote. The pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc followed with 24.18 percent. This outcome is broadly interpreted as a strong affirmation of Moldova’s European aspirations, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine and persistent Russian efforts to influence Moldovan politics.

Michael Gahler, head of the European Parliament Election Observer mission to Moldova, asserted that Russia’s extensive interference efforts, including cyber-attacks, disinformation, intimidation, and vote-buying schemes, ultimately “failed.” He contrasted the EU’s respect for Moldovans’ free choice with Russia’s approach, stating, “Had the Moldovans decided otherwise, we [the EU] are not the ones who then come with tanks.”

Persistent Political Divisions

Despite the clear pro-European mandate, deep political divisions within Moldova remain apparent. The Patriotic Bloc, while losing ground, maintained a significant base of support, particularly in separatist-leaning regions like Transnistria. Natalia Putina, a political scientist at the State University of Moldova, acknowledged the “big win for the PAS” but underscored the enduring internal rifts.

Voters from Transnistria voiced varied perspectives. Igor, a bank employee from Tiraspol, expressed disappointment with the current government and hoped for a stronger opposition. Inna Romanyenko, also from Transnistria, emphasized her Moldovan identity while acknowledging the complexities of EU integration, particularly concerning the future of Transnistria. Official results showed that over 51 percent of the 12,017 Transnistrian Moldovans who voted favored the pro-Russian bloc.

Challenges on the Path to EU Membership

Looking ahead, the path towards full EU membership for Moldova is expected to be fraught with obstacles. Political scientist Natalia Putina cautioned that the journey, while endorsed by the electorate, faces significant hurdles. These include the continued military occupation of Transnistria by Russia and the broader effects of regional conflict.

Furthermore, Moldova must contend with persistent struggles against corruption and the entrenched influence of oligarchs. Putina encapsulated the nation’s democratic trajectory, stating, “Moldova’s democratic development is like a dance: two steps forward and one back.”