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Moldova's ruling pro-EU party leader says high-stakes election will define the country's future

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 17:31 GMT by Toronto Star
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Moldova’s pro‑EU coalition faces a decisive test, party leader Maia Sandu says

The small, landlocked country of Moldova has set its sights on the European Union, but the road to accession is still long and fraught with domestic and external pressures. On Thursday, the country’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) leader, President Maia Sandu, warned that the upcoming parliamentary election will determine whether Moldova can continue on its “high‑stakes” trajectory toward the EU. In a televised interview with the Toronto Star, Sandu stressed that the election will not merely be a routine political exercise but a defining moment that could shape the nation’s democratic future for decades.

A party that has shaken up Moldovan politics

PAS emerged in 2016 as a relatively new player, but in 2020 it captured a historic victory when Maia Sandu won the presidency with an almost 52‑percent majority—an outcome that marked the first time since the Soviet era that a pro‑EU candidate had taken the highest office. Her campaign capitalised on promises of anti‑corruption reforms, a clear break from the past and a steady push for integration with Europe.

“The election is about continuity of the reforms that have already started,” Sandu told the Star. “If we win, we’ll continue to strengthen the rule of law, improve our economy, and secure the path to the EU.” She added that the PAS platform would also focus on social inclusion, a broader welfare system, and expanding public services.

What the polls say

According to the latest polling from the Institute for Economic Research and the Public Opinion Foundation, PAS currently enjoys a lead of roughly 4‑5 percent over the opposition Socialist Party (PSRM) and the Alliance for European Integration (AEI), a loose coalition that includes the pro‑Western Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM). While the polls remain volatile, the trend indicates that the pro‑EU sentiment is strong, especially among the younger electorate and those living in the eastern parts of the country, which have historically leaned toward Russian‑aligned parties.

Sandu added that “the numbers are not yet final, but we’re in a comfortable position.” She pointed out that the opposition’s lack of a coherent narrative and internal fragmentation are key obstacles to their campaign.

The Russian influence that still lingers

Despite the momentum for European integration, Moldova remains a battleground in the geopolitical tug‑of‑war between the West and Russia. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on remittances from Moldovans working abroad, many of whom go to Russia. Meanwhile, Russia continues to exert influence through political lobbying, media, and the Russian‑backed Moldovan diaspora.

In the interview, Sandu cautioned that a victory for the opposition could open the door for a resurgence of Russian influence. “We must remain vigilant,” she said. “A shift in power could stall EU talks, undermine our reforms, and compromise our sovereignty.”

The statement was received with a mix of support and criticism. Critics in the opposition argued that Sandu’s remarks were overly political and that the country should not allow the EU to dictate its domestic politics. However, many in the international community—particularly the European Union and the United States—viewed her comments as an affirmation of Moldova’s commitment to democratic governance and European values.

International reactions

In a brief statement, the European Commission’s Representative for Moldova, Andrea Ramos, applauded Sandu’s remarks. “We believe the upcoming election will be a testament to Moldova’s resilience and its unwavering desire to join the EU,” she said. “We will continue to support PAS’s reform agenda and help the country meet the accession criteria.”

On the other side, Russian state media reiterated their concerns about potential “Western overreach” in Moldovan affairs. The Kremlin’s official news agency, TASS, called for “balanced development” and warned against “premature integration with the EU that could destabilise the region.”

The United States, through the State Department, reaffirmed its support for Moldova’s democratic institutions. “We are committed to providing assistance that will bolster Moldova’s economy, strengthen its democratic processes, and help protect its citizens from corruption,” the statement read.

The stakes go beyond politics

The March parliamentary election is more than a vote for who will sit in the Moldovan Parliament. It carries implications for foreign policy, the economy, and Moldova’s identity. A PAS victory could accelerate the nation’s EU accession process, unlocking significant funds from the European Neighborhood Policy and the European Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises. This influx would, according to PAS officials, be instrumental in addressing the country’s structural economic weaknesses and in creating jobs for a young population.

Moreover, the election has a symbolic dimension. Moldova’s independence from the Soviet Union came in 1991, but the country has struggled with a fractured political culture and widespread corruption. A successful re‑election of PAS would signal to the region that Moldova can navigate its own democratic path—an example for other post‑communist states grappling with the pull between East and West.

What’s next?

As the campaign season ramps up, the political landscape in Moldova will be shaped by the narratives of reform versus tradition, independence versus influence, and the EU versus Russia. With Sandu’s unequivocal message that the election is “high stakes,” voters are reminded that their choice will reverberate far beyond Moldovan borders.

For the people of Moldova, the coming weeks hold a promise of either a continuation of reforms that aim to align the country with European standards or a potential rollback that could bring the nation back into a more precarious position. Regardless of the outcome, the 2024 election will serve as a benchmark for Moldova’s future trajectory—one that will either cement its aspirations for EU membership or open new challenges in its quest for stability and growth.