On 28 September, Moldova launched parliamentary elections to elect 101 MPs who will lead the country for the next four years.
Polling stations opened at 7:00 and will work until 21:00. A total of 1,973 polling stations will be open, including 12 for residents of the Transnistrian region. Moldovans can check online which polling station they are registered at.
Fourteen parties, four blocs and four independent candidates are running in the elections. The main battle is expected to be between the ruling Action and Solidarity (PAS) party and the patriotic bloc, which includes the Socialists, the Communists, the Heart of Moldova Party and the Future of Moldova Party.
Moldovan incumbent President Maia Sandu has already cast her vote in the morning at a polling station located at the “Petru Rares” lyceum in Chisinau. The head of state called on citizens to actively participate in voting and defend the country’s democracy.
“Moldova, our dear home, is in danger and every one of you is needed now. You can save it with your vote,” Sandu said.
The parliamentary elections on 28 September are seen as a key moment for the future of Moldova, which is a candidate country for EU membership. The ruling pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, has held a parliamentary majority since 2021. However, polls show that PAS could lose that majority as opposition parties struggle to attract voters concerned about rising prices, poverty and a slowing economy. The need to form a coalition government could complicate PAS efforts to get Moldova into the EU by 2030, analysts say.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu appealed to voters on the eve of the election to support pro-European forces, emphasising that Russia is investing heavily to bring its proxies to power. Sandu said that Moscow is spending “hundreds of millions of dollars” trying to buy the votes of Moldovan citizens. she also noted that if the pro-Russian forces win, Moldova will be cut off from Europe and could become a springboard for Russian operations in the Odessa region.
Russia says it does not interfere in the internal politics of other countries.