Moldova Edges Toward Pro-Europe Government In Crucial Parliamentary Election

"CHISINAU -- The pro-Europe ruling party of Moldova has edged toward a major victory over the Russia-friendly opposition, indicating the small, impoverished nation will remain on a European path instead of drifting back toward the Kremlin. With about 95 percent of ballots counted in the early hours of September 29, Moldova's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) held a solid lead over the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc."

"More than 1.5 million Moldovans cast ballots in the election amid widespread reports of campaign meddling by the Kremlin, which denied the allegations. Votes were still to be counted from the country's influential diaspora abroad. Preliminary counting of those votes showed a large advantage for the PAS, although the results are often volatile."

Moldova's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) led early results with about 47 percent versus the Patriotic Bloc's 26.3 percent, with roughly 95 percent of ballots counted. Preliminary diaspora returns favored PAS and RFE/RL calculations suggested PAS could secure at least 51 seats in the 101-member parliament, potentially forming a majority. President Maia Sandu-backed PAS may govern or need coalition partners depending on final totals. The Ukraine war disrupted Moldova's trade and energy supplies, fueling inflation. Kremlin-linked disinformation campaigns and hundreds of reported election incidents, including group voting, were documented by local monitors.

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