CHISINAU, Moldova — Polls have closed in Moldova’s closely-watched parliamentary election Sunday, a race fraught with claims of Russian interference. Many viewed the ballot as a geopolitical choice between a path to the European Union or a drift back into Moscow’s fold.
When polls closed locally at 9 p.m. (1800 GMT), the Central Electoral Commission reported that more than 1.59 million, or about 51.9% of eligible voters had cast ballots, including 264,000 Moldovans in polling stations set up abroad, which will remain open until 7 p.m. in their respective countries.
The tense race pitted the governing pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity, which has held a strong parliamentary majority since 2021, against several Russia-friendly opponents but no viable pro-European partners, leaving a lot of uncertainty over potential outcomes.
The pivotal vote will elect a new 101-seat parliament, after which Moldova’s president nominates a prime minister, generally from the leading party or bloc, which can then try to form a new government. A proposed government needs parliamentary approval. Results from the electoral commission will start rolling in around 10 p.m. (1900 GMT).
“I was born after the independence of Moldova. I think it’s the most important election in the history of Moldova,” said economist Cristian Iftodi, 23. “I truly believe that Moldova, although it’s a very small country, plays a really important role for the EU. Because I think the EU can be more united if they win this battle against Russia.”
The race pits the governing pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity, or PAS, which has held a strong parliamentary majority since 2021 but risks losing it, against several Russia-friendly opponents but no viable pro-European partners, leaving uncertainty over potential outcomes and the geopolitical course the country will take.
After casting her ballot, Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu reiterated long-held claims that Russia “massively interfered” in the election, saying she voted “to keep the peace” and that her country’s future lies within the EU.
“Russia poses a danger to our democracies. Our democracy is young and fragile, but that does not mean that states with longer democracies are not in danger. We want to live in a democracy,” she said. “Today, in our country, democracy is in the hands of Moldovans — only they can save the Republic of Moldova.”
Moldova is landlocked between Ukraine and EU member Romania. The country of about 2.5 million people has spent recent years on a westward path and gained candidate status to the EU in 2022, shortly after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Days before Sunday’s vote, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean warned that Russia is spending “hundreds of millions” of euros as part of an alleged hybrid war to try to seize power, which he described as “the final battle for our country’s future.”
“I call on every Moldovan at home and across Euro