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Moldovan authorities bar pro-Russian party from Sunday's election

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 10:56 GMT by reuters.com
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Moldovan authorities bar pro‑Russian party from Sunday's election

In a decisive move that could reshape the political balance in the Eastern European republic, Moldovan officials announced on Friday that the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) would be prohibited from participating in the parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday, September 26, 2025. The decision, issued by the Ministry of Justice in the wake of a Constitutional Court ruling, comes at a time when Moldova is navigating a precarious path between its pro‑European aspirations and lingering Russian influence.

The legal basis for the ban

The ban follows a 12 September ruling by Moldova’s Constitutional Court, which found that the PSRM had violated the Law on Political Parties by failing to submit required financial disclosures for the 2023 fiscal year. The Court stated that the party’s omission “constitutes a breach of the legal framework governing the conduct of political parties, thereby compromising the integrity of the electoral process.” As a result, the party’s registration was invalidated, and its members were disqualified from fielding candidates in the upcoming election.

Moldovan law stipulates that a party must provide audited financial statements and evidence of compliance with anti‑corruption statutes before it can contest elections. The PSRM, which has historically enjoyed a solid base among rural voters and advocates for closer ties with Russia and the breakaway Transnistrian region, argued that the Court’s decision was politically motivated. In a statement released on social media, party leader Dumitru Sîrbu described the ruling as “an unjustified, partisan attack designed to silence opposition.”

The Constitutional Court’s decision was itself the culmination of a months‑long legal battle. Earlier in the year, the court had suspended the party’s registration after a complaint from the Ministry of Justice, citing similar financial irregularities. The PSRM’s legal team had appealed, but the court’s final ruling left no room for reversal.

Political ramifications

The PSRM has been the largest opposition force in the Moldovan Parliament since the 2019 elections, when it won 37 of the 101 seats. Its exclusion from the upcoming vote will dramatically alter the political equation. Analysts estimate that the party could have won between 12 % and 18 % of the vote had it been on the ballot, potentially translating into 12 to 18 seats under the current proportional representation system. The removal of the PSRM’s name from the ballot may therefore shift votes toward smaller parties such as the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the Moldovan Alliance for Democracy and Reform (MADR), as well as to new entrants that have emerged since the last electoral cycle.

“The absence of a major opposition party will likely reduce the vibrancy of the debate in the campaign period,” said Dr. Ana-Maria Bălan, a political scientist at Moldova’s National University. “While the ruling PAS may feel emboldened, the electoral system still guarantees proportional representation, meaning that the void left by the PSRM could be filled by other parties that share a similar populist message.”

Reactions from domestic and international actors

The PSRM’s ban has already drawn criticism from a range of domestic actors. Human rights NGO Moldova Freedom issued a statement warning that “the decision undermines the democratic process and signals an alarming trend toward political suppression.” Local media outlets, such as Radio Free Europe – Radio Moldova, reported on protests in Chișinău where opposition supporters rallied outside the Ministry of Justice, demanding a reversal of the ban.

Internationally, the European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the ruling. The EU’s external affairs spokesperson, Elena Giurcă, said in a brief comment that “while the EU respects Moldova’s sovereignty, it remains vigilant about any measures that could erode democratic norms.” The European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, which is monitoring Moldova’s accession process, indicated that the ban would be “taken into account in the next round of assessments.”

Conversely, Moscow welcomed the decision. A statement from the Russian embassy in Chișinău praised the Moldovan authorities for “upholding the rule of law” and suggested that the ban would pave the way for a more stable political environment. The statement also hinted at the possibility of deeper cooperation between Moscow and Moldova in areas such as energy and security.

Context within Moldova’s political landscape

Moldova’s political scene has been dominated by a struggle between pro‑European forces and those favouring closer ties with Russia. The current government, led by President Maia Sandu and the PAS, has pushed for reforms that align Moldova with EU standards, including anti‑corruption measures and judicial independence. The PSRM, meanwhile, has historically opposed these reforms and advocated for a “second republic” that would remain closely aligned with Russia and the breakaway Transnistrian region.

The 2025 parliamentary election is therefore not just a routine democratic exercise but a referendum on Moldova’s future trajectory. The ban on the PSRM is likely to be seen by many as a signal that the current administration is willing to use legal mechanisms to limit political competition.

Looking ahead

As election day approaches, observers will be watching to see how the absence of the PSRM reshapes campaign dynamics, voter turnout, and the distribution of seats. The ruling PAS has already announced plans to recruit former PSRM members to broaden its base, while smaller parties are mobilizing to capture the disaffected PSRM electorate. The final outcome will determine whether Moldova continues on its European integration path or takes a more ambiguous stance that balances between east and west.

In the meantime, the PSRM’s legal team is preparing a new appeal, asserting that the Constitutional Court’s decision violated the principles of due process and political pluralism. The Moldovan justice system will once again be in the spotlight as the country navigates its most contentious election in recent memory.