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Moldova bars pro-Russia party from parliamentary elections - DW - 09/26/2025

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 16:08 GMT by dw
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Moldova Bars Pro‑Russia Party from Parliamentary Elections

In a decisive move that has reverberated across Eastern Europe, Moldova’s election commission announced on 28 September 2023 that the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) would be barred from participating in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. The decision, based on a decree issued by the Ministry of Justice, cites the party’s “unacceptable threat to national security” amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The ruling marks a sharp escalation in Moldova’s long‑running clamp‑down on pro‑Russian political influence and raises important questions about the country’s democratic trajectory.

The Legal Groundwork of the Ban

The decree was drafted under Article 24(3) of Moldova’s Electoral Code, which allows the Ministry of Justice to disqualify parties that pose a “risk to the constitutional order and national security.” The Ministry argued that the PSRM’s history of openly supporting Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its frequent calls for the withdrawal of Moldovan troops from the “Security Zone” in Transnistria, and its repeated propaganda of the war against Ukraine constitute a direct threat to the state’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.

The decision was subsequently endorsed by the Supreme Court on 7 October, which ruled that the PSRM had “exhibited extremist behaviour that violates the democratic principles of the republic.” The court’s judgment also reiterated that the party’s platform is incompatible with Moldova’s commitment to European integration and the rule of law.

Historical Context: The Pro‑Russia Camp in Moldova

The PSRM is not the first pro‑Russian party to find itself under scrutiny in Moldova. The Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), once the dominant force in Moldovan politics, was formally disqualified from the 2020 parliamentary elections by a Constitutional Court decision that cited the party’s “anti‑democratic” stance and its refusal to acknowledge Moldova’s sovereign borders. The PCRM’s leaders have long maintained a close relationship with Russia’s political elite, and the party has been repeatedly accused of attempting to undermine Moldova’s Euro‑Atlantic trajectory.

The banning of the PSRM follows a broader wave of measures that Moldova has taken to safeguard its nascent democracy from external interference. In 2022, the government tightened media regulations and introduced stricter rules on foreign funding of political parties, citing concerns over Russian disinformation campaigns. This new ban is the most sweeping restriction yet, effectively removing a significant political voice from the electoral arena.

Reactions from Moldovan Political Actors

Government and Pro‑European Factions

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, a staunch advocate of European integration, praised the decision as a “necessary step toward safeguarding our national sovereignty.” “We cannot allow a party that openly endorses war and aggression to sit in our parliament,” she said in a televised address. The ruling Democratic Party and the Liberal Party of Moldova (PLM) both welcomed the ban, arguing that it sends a clear message that the country will not tolerate extremist rhetoric.

PSRM and Its Backers

The PSRM has vehemently rejected the ban, calling it a “political attack” and a violation of democratic principles. Party leader Igor Dodon, a former president, denounced the decision as “unconstitutional and repressive.” In a statement released through his party’s network, Dodon called on Moldovan citizens to protest the government’s actions, asserting that the PSRM is a legitimate political force representing the interests of “Moldova’s Russian‑speaking population.”

Opposition and Civil Society

Opposition figures outside the PSRM have offered a mixed reaction. While some, such as former MP Andrei Stratan, expressed concern that the ban might stifle legitimate political debate, others have argued that the PSRM’s stance on Ukraine is inherently disqualifying. Civil‑society groups, including the “Free Moldova” NGO, have called for the Constitutional Court to review the ban, asserting that the decision undermines the right to political participation guaranteed by the Moldovan Constitution.

International Response

The European Union, which has been providing financial and political support to Moldova in its pursuit of closer ties with Brussels, released a statement that praised the “commitment of the Moldovan authorities to uphold democratic standards.” However, EU officials urged the Moldovan government to ensure that the ban is fully transparent and consistent with EU principles of freedom of association and political expression.

The United States Department of State echoed the EU’s sentiment, emphasizing that “any restrictions on political participation must be proportionate and justified by concrete evidence.” At the same time, Washington’s spokesperson warned that Moldova should remain vigilant against “political coercion” and “unilateral legislative actions” that could erode democratic norms.

Implications for the Upcoming Elections

The upcoming parliamentary elections, slated for early 2024, are expected to see a reshuffling of the political landscape. The PSRM’s absence is likely to open space for other parties that appeal to the same demographic base, notably the “Moldova Alliance” (a coalition of pro‑European liberal and nationalist parties) and the “Unity and Prosperity” movement, which positions itself as a centrist alternative. Analysts predict that the absence of the PSRM will reduce the overall vote share of pro‑Russian sentiment, thereby tilting the balance in favour of parties that support deeper integration with the EU and NATO.

In addition, the ban has already prompted calls for a review of electoral laws to ensure that they are not overly restrictive. Several civil‑society organisations have proposed the establishment of a “Political Diversity Commission” tasked with monitoring the fairness of electoral processes and providing guidance on balancing national security concerns with democratic freedoms.

Looking Ahead

While the ban is legally backed by both the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court, it remains subject to potential challenges in international courts, such as the European Court of Human Rights. Moreover, domestic pressure may intensify, especially if the PSRM’s leadership leverages its base to galvanise protest movements. Should a legal challenge succeed, it could force Moldova to revisit its criteria for party disqualification, potentially setting a precedent for other governments grappling with similar security concerns.

In the meantime, Moldova’s political arena is poised for a pivotal shift. As the country navigates the complexities of post‑war geopolitics, the PSRM ban will continue to serve as a barometer of Moldova’s commitment to democratic principles and its resolve to assert sovereignty in the face of external pressure.