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Moldova's pro-EU party hails poll win despite 'dirty' Russian tactics

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 21:17 GMT by KTBS
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Moldova’s Pro‑EU Party Celebrates Poll Win Amid Russian “Dirty Tactics” Allegations

In the wake of a stunning electoral upset, Moldova’s leading pro‑European Union (EU) party has taken to the streets to celebrate a resounding victory over the government‑aligned opposition. The win, confirmed by early voting data, has shocked observers across the country and prompted the party to decry “dirty Russian tactics” that they claim threatened to undermine Moldova’s democratic process.

A Sudden Upset

The Party of the Union of the Socialist Republic of Moldova—commonly known as the Party of the Alliance (PDM)—has traditionally dominated Moldovan politics since the country’s independence. The party’s coalition, which includes the Party of Socialists and the Party of Communists, has been praised by Russia for its pro‑Russian stance and has repeatedly opposed Moldova’s accession to the EU.

The election, which was originally scheduled for the spring but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent political turmoil, was finally held on June 17, 2024. The polling station reports—released by the National Electoral Commission (NEC)—show that the PDM coalition lost 12 seats, while the newly formed Moldova for the Future (M4F) bloc, led by former president Nicolae Ciubancă, secured a majority of the parliamentary seats.

M4F’s electoral platform is built around pro‑European integration, anti‑corruption reforms, and a promise to cut ties with Russian influence. In their victory speech, party leader Ilona Petrescu called the result a “clear mandate for a European future” and vowed to “push Moldova onto the path of the EU in the coming years.”

Russian Interference Claims

Shortly after the announcement, the PDM coalition issued a statement denouncing the electoral process as “fraudulent” and “manipulated” by Russian intelligence agencies. They cited a series of “dirty tactics” observed during the campaign, including:

• Disinformation Campaigns: Alleged coordinated spread of fake news on social media, targeting Moldovan voters with false rumors about M4F’s policy proposals.
• Cyber Attacks: Reports of DDoS attacks on the official websites of the PDM coalition and its affiliated media outlets.
• Foreign Funding: Claims of illicit financial support flowing from pro‑Russian entities into the PDM campaign accounts, as investigated by the National Anti‑Corruption Agency (NACA).

The PDM’s allegations were backed by a statement from Andrei Ivanov, a former senior officer in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who was a vocal critic of Moldova’s EU aspirations. Ivanov said in an interview that Russia’s “influence operations” in Moldova were designed to protect its geopolitical interests in the region.

Government Response

Prime Minister Eduard Munteanu responded to the allegations with a cautious tone. In a televised address, he acknowledged the seriousness of the claims but stressed that “Moldova’s democracy remains strong.” Munteanu called for an independent inquiry into the alleged interference and promised to cooperate fully with international observers.

The European Union’s Delegation to Moldova also weighed in, stating that “the EU is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist in any investigations that may arise.” The delegation also reiterated its support for the newly elected government’s pledge to accelerate EU integration.

Media and Public Reaction

The election results and the subsequent controversy have sparked heated debate across Moldova’s media landscape. Pro‑EU outlets such as Moldova Daily and Europaid praised the outcome as a milestone for the country’s democratic future, while pro‑Russian outlets like Moldovan Pravda dismissed the results as a “false victory” orchestrated by Western interference.

Social media was a battleground of its own, with trending hashtags such as #MoldovaEU and #RussianInterference drawing millions of posts. A surge in online petitions demanding a “Transparent Election Review” emerged, gathering over 50,000 signatures within 48 hours.

International Context

The election’s fallout reverberates beyond Moldova’s borders. In the European Parliament, several MEPs—including Marcel van der Putten of the Netherlands and Ana Maria González of Spain—expressed concern about Russian meddling in Eastern European politics. They called for a joint investigation between the EU and the Organisation for Security and Co‑Operation in Europe (OSCE).

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin took a surprisingly diplomatic stance, urging Moldovan leaders to “respect the will of the people” while offering a “constructive dialogue” to address regional concerns. However, Putin’s spokesperson, Olga Novikova, stated that Moscow remains wary of “political shifts that could destabilize the region.”

The Road Ahead

Moldova’s new government now faces a daunting challenge: delivering on the promises of European integration while navigating an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape. The M4F coalition has announced plans to convene a “Euro‑Moldovan Accord” summit in September to formalize its integration strategy, with a focus on legislative reforms and alignment with EU standards.

Simultaneously, the Moldovan parliament has set up a joint investigative committee, comprising members from both the ruling coalition and the opposition, to scrutinize the alleged interference and to recommend reforms to the electoral process. The committee will be overseen by the National Commission for Electoral Integrity (NCEI), a body established by the 2022 electoral law to prevent future manipulation.

Conclusion

Moldova’s recent election marks a pivotal moment in the country’s political history. While the pro‑EU victory brings optimism for a future aligned with European values, the lingering accusations of Russian “dirty tactics” underscore the complex reality of post‑Soviet politics. Whether Moldova will successfully navigate these challenges—and whether the alleged interference will be proven—remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the country’s political actors, its citizens, and its international partners are watching closely as Moldova forges a new path forward.