Overview: Turnout at the Polls
At 18:00 GMT, Moldova reported a turnout of 51.9% in the legislative election, slightly down from 52.3% in 2021. The figure could still change as the diaspora is allowed to vote until 21:00 local time in each host country, potentially nudging the final percentage higher. First official results are not expected before 22:00 GMT.
With the vote taking place in a country of about 2.4 million people and more than a million emigrants, the stakes feel unusually high. Security services warned of attempts to disrupt the vote, while both camps accused the other of manipulation and intimidation tactics amid a tense, uncertain contest.
Two Main Forces in a Tight Race
Polls before election day largely favored the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), the pro-European bloc that has led the government since 2021. Yet President Maia Sandu’s party has faced erosion, blamed in part on economic hardship in one of Europe’s poorer states. As voters lined up in Chisinau, opinions split: one 51-year-old craftsman favored continuing the post‑Soviet status quo, while a 34-year-old homemaker urged Moldova to stay on a European track, saying falling back would be unthinkable.
The electoral landscape also features a significant pro-Russian opposition rooted around the former ruling blocs and regional sentiment, including observers in the Transnistria region. With 101 seats at stake and dozens of parties and independents vying for them, analysts anticipate a possible fragmented parliament and a drawn-out coalition formation process.
Security, Disinformation and Foreign Influence
The campaign has been overshadowed by concerns about vote-buying, unrest, and a large-scale information campaign attributed to Russia by the European Union. Moscow has rejected the accusations, while the opposition has accused PAS of planning fraud. Moldova’s cyber security service said it detected several attempts to attack electoral infrastructure but neutralized them in real time, preserving the integrity of voting services.
After voting in the capital, President Sandu warned of “massive interference” from abroad, stressing that Moldova stood to lose everything if foreign meddling swayed the result. She has framed the election as a test of the country’s European path and has pointed to Western aid and EU accession talks as crucial incentives for reform and stability.
What to Expect Next
As the ballot tallies begin, political observers like Valeriu Pasha, a researcher, caution that a hung parliament could emerge, complicating governance and coalition-building in the near term. The diaspora vote will be closely watched, given its proven influence in previous elections, as will the stance of the Transnistria authorities, who accuse the central government of trying to constrain their residents’ ability to vote.
Among the incumbents, former president Igor Dodon, now a leading figure in the pro-Russian bloc, urged supporters to demonstrate peacefully should the results not deliver a decisive victory. He reiterated a willingness to maintain dialogue with both the European Union and Russia, signaling that Moldova’s future path remains unsettled until the final results are certified.
Looking Ahead
While preliminary forecasts favored the PAS, the final composition of Moldova’s parliament will hinge on late voting in the diaspora, regional turnout, and the capacity of newer and smaller parties to secure seats. In a country confronting economic pressures, security concerns, and a polarized electorate, the election outcome will shape Moldova’s trajectory toward European integration and its delicate balancing act with neighboring powers.
