Moldova Elections Update: PAS Takes the Lead as EU-leaning Bloc Rises
Partial results from Moldova’s parliamentary elections show the pro-EU party Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by president Maia Sandu, maintaining a solid lead with about 80% of votes counted. The latest tallies place PAS at roughly 44.5%, while the main pro-Russian bloc, Blocco Patriottico, trails with around 27.8%. The outcome signals a strong mandate for Sandu’s European-leaning agenda and for a Moldova that continues to pivot toward Western institutions in the face of regional tensions.
The results underscore a broader geopolitical drift in Moldova, a country perched between European integration and Russian influence. Analysts suggest that the continued lead for PAS could complicate any push by Moscow to reassert influence, especially in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Support for EU alignment has grown in recent years, and this vote appears to reinforce that trajectory despite a persistent information landscape shaped by Russian media.
Election Integrity Under Scrutiny: Bus Transfers from Russia
The Moldovan police announced an investigation into the organization of transport for Moldovan citizens with passports living in Russia to Belarus, aimed at voting in the ongoing elections. Police described bus convoys bringing voters to Belarus as a potential attempt to influence the vote in a controlled environment—a tactic authorities say is prohibited by Moldovan law. Video circulated by the police shows participants in a festive mood, singing songs in Russian and Moldovan.
Meanwhile, reports from Moscow indicate long lines at polling stations for the Moldovan diaspora. Observers note that similar operations in earlier years involved flights and buses to multiple countries to favor candidates seen as closer to Moscow. The attention also extends to the 12 special seats reserved for residents of the Transnistria region, which has remained a hotspot for allegations of organized voting and pressure along the Dniester river.
Zelensky Reacts to UN Sanctions on Iran
In a statement through Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s clear decision to restore sanctions on Iran, arguing that Tehran’s defiance of the IAEA and the international community destabilized the nuclear order. Zelensky called for a global standard: any actor that harms peace and security should face weighty sanctions. He also linked Russia’s posture to the Iranian facilitated nuclear threat and urged a robust, united international response against Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
Russia’s Assault on Kyiv: Drones, Missiles, and Casualties
Ukraine’s defense ministry reported a night of heavy strikes on Kyiv and several regions, with 595 drones and 48 missiles deployed by Russia according to the Kyiv Post, citing the Air Forces. Early reports had flagged hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including a hypersonic Kinzhal. The attack caused multiple casualties, including a 12-year-old girl, and damaged critical infrastructure, including the cardiology institute in Kyiv. Zelensky described the assault as a stark demonstration of Russia’s willingness to escalate, even as Ukraine pledges to intensify its countermeasures and seek a stronger international response.
The Kremlin on Trump Mediation and Moscow’s Stance
The Russian Kremlin has suggested that former U.S. President Donald Trump might still be willing to facilitate peace in Ukraine, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterating that the invitation to Moscow remains valid. Peskov urged the West to press Kiev toward peace and to reconsider its militarized posture, while reiterating Moscow’s openness to talks with Trump. The exchange underscores Moscow’s continued emphasis on a political track, even as it faces international sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
Voices from Moldova: Dodon and Popescu
Igor Dodon, leader of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc and former Moldovan president, argued that today’s vote would determine whether Moldova remains on a pro-democracy, pro-European path or risks a return to closer alignment with Moscow. Dodon claimed victory for his bloc and warned against vote nullification, signaling plans for a peaceful demonstration at Parliament the following day. In contrast, Nicu Popescu, former deputy prime minister and a candidate for the EU-oriented Pas, stressed the election’s importance for Moldova’s future: EU accession would be reinforced by a victory for pro-European forces, while loss could invite economic frailty and a destabilized security environment due to Transnistria and Russia’s influence. Popescu warned that a pro-Russian government could slow reforms and invite capital flight, ultimately jeopardizing Moldova’s integration with Western institutions.
Outlook: What This Means for Moldova and the Region
As Moldova’s vote count grows, the balance seems to tilt toward the EU-leaning camp, with implications beyond domestic policy. A PAS-led government could push ahead with reforms to meet EU criteria and secure continued Western financial support, while facing pressure from Moscow on economic and security fronts, particularly if Transnistria remains unsettled. The international community will be watching how Moldova navigates these electoral dynamics amid ongoing regional turbulence, and whether this vote translates into a more cohesive strategy to counter disinformation and external influence.
