"Moldovans are due to vote on Sunday in a pivotal parliamentary election that will determine whether the country of 2.4 million people continues on its path towards joining the EU or drifts back into Moscow's orbit, with widespread reports of Russian meddling. The pro-western president, Maia Sandu, and her ruling Action and Solidarity party (PAS), which holds a parliamentary majority, face a stiff challenge from the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, an alliance of pro-Russian, Soviet-nostalgic parties led in part by the former president Igor Dodon, whom Sandu defeated in 2020."
"But the race in the impoverished country located between Ukraine and Romania is expected to be tight. Polls suggest PAS will remain the largest party, but could lose its majority, with the Patriotic bloc polling a close second. In such a scenario, smaller parties could play a decisive role."
"The Alternative bloc led by Ion Ceban, the mayor of the capital Chisinau, and last year's presidential runner-up, Alexandru Stoianoglo has sought to attract disillusioned centrist voters. While nominally pro-European, critics contend Alternative is a Kremlin-friendly spoiler designed to peel away support from PAS while preserving Moscow's influence."
A pivotal parliamentary election will determine whether Moldova, a country of 2.4 million between Ukraine and Romania, continues toward EU membership or shifts toward Moscow's orbit amid reports of Russian meddling. Pro-western President Maia Sandu's Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) holds a parliamentary majority but faces a strong challenge from the Patriotic Electoral Bloc led in part by former president Igor Dodon. Polls show a tight race with PAS possibly remaining largest but losing its majority, making smaller parties potentially decisive. The Alternative bloc seeks centrist votes while critics call it a Kremlin-friendly spoiler. Power is split between a directly elected president and a prime minister appointed by parliament.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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