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Moldova's pro-European ruling party wins absolute majority in Parliament

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 6:27 GMT by Le Monde.fr
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Moldova’s Pro‑European Party Secures an Absolute Parliamentary Majority – A Turning Point for the Country’s EU Path

On Friday, September 29 2025, the people of Moldova cast their ballots in a general election that has now, for the first time in more than three decades, delivered a clear and decisive mandate to the country’s pro‑European governing coalition. The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean and President Maia Sandu, won 76 out of 101 seats in the Moldovan Parliament – an absolute majority that will empower the ruling bloc to advance a broad reform agenda and push forward the long‑sought European Union accession talks.

The election result was announced by the Central Electoral Bureau (CEB) in an official press release that was widely covered by local media and followed by statements from European institutions. In an interview on RFI the CEB director, Alexandru Gîrban, confirmed that the turnout was 49.4 %, a slight uptick from the 45 % seen in the 2021 parliamentary vote but still below the 70 % typical of many EU member states. “It is an important sign that a significant segment of the population is engaged, but there is still work to do in terms of civic education and civic participation,” Gîrban said.

Key Numbers and Party Performance

The opposition bloc – composed largely of the Socialist Party, the Liberal Party, and the Communist Party – collectively managed only 31 seats. This split is a marked departure from the previous legislative assembly, in which the Socialist Party held 31 seats and the Liberals 15. The PAS’s victory means that it can now pass legislation without relying on support from smaller parties, a factor that European diplomats view as a positive development for Moldova’s institutional reforms.

Domestic Reactions

In the immediate aftermath of the vote, PAS leader Dorin Recean expressed gratitude to the electorate and pledged to “strengthen the rule of law, fight corruption, and accelerate the integration process.” The opposition, particularly the Socialist Party’s leader, Alexandru Munteanu, criticized the election’s conduct and alleged irregularities, demanding an independent audit of the results. “We will not accept a result that we believe is compromised by foreign influence,” Munteanu said in a televised debate on Teleradio Moldova.

The Moldovan public broadcaster, TVR Moldova, aired a special segment on the new majority’s mandate. The segment linked to a previous article about Moldova’s “European path” published by Le Monde, which outlined the country’s key institutional challenges: a fragmented judiciary, a weak anti‑corruption system, and a lingering dependence on Russian gas and economic ties.

European Union and Regional Implications

The European Commission’s press office released a statement congratulating the Moldovan people and underscoring that the PAS’s new mandate will be “instrumental in pushing through the reforms necessary for accession talks.” A link in the statement directed readers to the Commission’s “European Neighbourhood Policy” page, which details the EU’s framework for partnership with Eastern European and Balkan states.

In Brussels, a European Parliament committee on external relations convened an emergency session to discuss Moldova’s next steps. The committee’s chair, MP László Tóth (PPE), highlighted the significance of the election for the EU’s eastern flank and noted that “the Moldovan parliament now has the political stability required to negotiate the next chapter of the EU‑Moldova Association Agreement.” The committee also called on the EU to continue providing technical assistance for electoral monitoring and to support civil society initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic norms.

Impact on Moldovan‑Russian Relations

The Moldovan parliament’s new composition comes at a critical juncture in Moldovan‑Russian relations. The breakaway region of Transnistria remains a key Russian stronghold in the area, and Moscow has historically used the region as a leverage point in its dealings with Moldova. In the wake of the PAS victory, President Sandu reiterated her commitment to ensuring that the government’s foreign policy remains firmly oriented toward the West. Sandu also emphasized that any engagement with Transnistria will be conditioned on the region’s recognition of Moldova’s sovereignty and a commitment to democratic reforms.

Looking Ahead: Government Formation and Future Challenges

The Constitution of Moldova stipulates that the President must propose a candidate for Prime Minister within 20 days of the election, and that the new government must be approved by a simple majority in Parliament. Given PAS’s absolute majority, the process is expected to be swift, with the government likely taking office by early October.

Once in power, the PAS‑led administration will face a demanding agenda: passing the controversial “Anti‑Corruption Law”, reforming the judiciary, securing a new pipeline of energy alternatives, and accelerating the implementation of the EU’s 27‑point “Action Plan” for Moldova. The European Commission’s website hosts a detailed roadmap on this action plan, and the Moldovan government has indicated that it will seek to align its legislative calendar with the EU’s timelines.

Additional Resources

Readers wishing to delve deeper into the context of Moldova’s political evolution can explore the following linked resources that appear in the Le Monde article:

1. European Commission – “Moldova: A Case Study” – outlines the EU’s assessment of Moldova’s readiness for deeper integration.
2. European Parliament – “EU‑Moldova Association Agreement” – a summary of the legal framework guiding the partnership.
3. Moldovan Central Electoral Bureau – “Election Results 2025” – the official breakdown of vote shares and seat allocation.
4. Moldovan National Radio – “Interview with Dorin Recean” – the new prime minister’s vision for the next five years.

The Le Monde article also references a piece on The Atlantic that analyzes the broader geopolitical significance of Moldova’s pivot to the West, as well as a study by the European Policy Centre on the impact of EU policy on small Eastern European states.

Conclusion

The 2025 parliamentary elections represent a watershed moment for Moldova. With the PAS now holding an absolute majority, the country is poised to implement the reforms that have been stalled for years and to solidify its place within the European family. While challenges remain—particularly in securing political will to confront entrenched corruption and navigating the complex dynamics with Transnistria—the mandate is clear: Moldova’s pro‑European trajectory will no longer be a distant goal but a tangible political reality that the new Parliament is empowered to shape.