Moldova’s Parliamentary Election Becomes a Proxy Battle Between Europe and Russia... Who Emerged Victorious?

Likely to Continue Pro-EU Policies Through Coalition with Moderates
False Bomb Threat Reported at Overseas Polling Station

In the parliamentary elections that will determine the future direction of Moldova, a small Eastern European nation at the crossroads between pro-European and pro-Russian influences, the pro-European ruling party is currently in the lead amid controversy over Russian interference. On September 29, Yonhap News Agency, citing foreign media such as the Associated Press, reported that with 93% of the votes counted, the pro-European ruling Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), led by incumbent President Maia Sandu, was leading with 47% of the vote. Although the vote counting is not yet complete, the significant lead by PAS suggests that the formation of a coalition government may be less contentious than expected, according to reports by the Associated Press and others. The pro-Russian "Patriotic Bloc," which brings together the Heart of Moldova Party, the Future of Moldova Party, the Socialist Party, and the Communist Party in opposition to PAS, garnered only 26% of the vote.

Moldova, with a population of 2.6 million, occupies about one-third of the land area of South Korea and is located between Ukraine and Romania, an EU member country. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Moldova, with a population of 2.6 million and covering about one-third of South Korea's land area, is located between Ukraine and the European Union member country Romania. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Moldova gained independence in 1991 but has long experienced instability between Europe and Russia due to suspected Russian interference, the war in neighboring Ukraine, and energy shortages. Currently, the Moldovan parliament is dominated by the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party led by President Maia Sandu. PAS has been pursuing the goal of joining the European Union by 2030, but if it fails to secure a parliamentary majority in this election, the plan itself could be derailed. As a result, the European Union, which has focused on bringing Moldova closer to block Russian influence, is closely monitoring the outcome of this election.

The pro-Russian opposition parties, including the Heart of Moldova Party, the Future of Moldova Party, the Socialist Party, and the Communist Party, have formed the "Patriotic Bloc" to consolidate their influence against PAS. These pro-Russian parties have sought to win votes by capitalizing on voters' dissatisfaction with economic turmoil and delays in reform efforts. According to current polling data, the two sides are expected to have a close contest. While most polls showed PAS in the lead, a survey conducted earlier this month saw the Patriotic Bloc at 36% and PAS at 34.7%, temporarily reversing the lead.

High Tensions on Election Day

If no party secures a majority, political bargaining will continue, and the turmoil within Moldova-already shaken by the war in Ukraine and suspicions of Russian interference-could intensify, resulting in heightened tension on election day. In fact, on the day of the vote, a false report of a bomb at the overseas polling station set up at the Moldovan Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, led to the temporary evacuation of voters and embassy staff. Brussels is also the headquarters of the European Union.

Pro-European Maia Sandu, President of Moldova. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

In the lead-up to the vote, suspicions of Russian interference reached a peak, further exacerbating internal conflict in Moldova. On September 22, Moldovan authorities conducted 250 large-scale searches and detained 74 individuals in connection with alleged mass riots and destabilization attempts supported by Russia. In a speech on September 22, ahead of the election, President Sandu criticized Russia's attempts to interfere in the parliamentary elections as a direct threat. President Sandu warned, "If Russia takes control of Moldova, it will have immediate and dangerous consequences for our country and the entire region." In contrast, Russia dismissed the allegations of election interference as "anti-Russian and baseless claims."

Meanwhile, although the vote count is not yet complete, there remains a possibility that PAS could surpass 50% in the final tally if votes from overseas voters in favor of European Union membership are included. In June 2022, Moldova, together with Ukraine, obtained candidate status for EU membership. PAS has governed with the goal of joining the European Union by 2030. Although the plan could have been derailed if PAS failed to secure a parliamentary majority in this election, the party's apparent victory is expected to solidify its pro-European course.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.