Pro-Russia Dodon calls protest over election defeat
Moldovan authorities are braced for protests on Monday after former President Igor Dodon, one of the leaders of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc that lost the parliamentary election, accused the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) of stealing the vote.
“If during the night there are falsifications, tomorrow we won’t recognize (the result of) the parliamentary elections […] and we will ask for elections to be repeated,” he said late on Sunday outside the electoral commission.
President Maia Sandu and the EU have accused Moscow of trying to sway the vote through widespread disinformation and vote-buying.
President Sandu’s pro-EU party wins more than 50% of vote
Moldova’s ruling party, the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), has won Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
PAS took more than 50% of the vote, official results showed on Monday.
With over 99.5% of ballots counted, the PAS, led by President Maia Sandu, received 50.03% of the vote, compared to 24.26% for the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, according to results published on the election commission’s website.
How has the ruling PAS reacted to preliminary results?
With Moldova’s ruling pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) on track to top polls in the closely-watched parliamentary election, PAS lawmaker Radu Marian said it was a victory for all of Europe.
“There should be relief in all Europe because peace, progress, democracy is won,” Marian told DW.
“And I think we did a great job in fighting the mighty Russian dictatorship. We fought with them and not necessarily the opposition.”
Daniel Voda, Moldovan government spokesperson, echoed a similar sentiment.
“Basically, what we see now is a celebration of democracy. Moldovan people in the country and abroad have spoken,” he said.
“Moldovan people want peace, development under the European Union family,” he added.
Ruling PAS wins pivotal parliamentary election
With 98% of votes counted, the results showed that around half of Moldovans favored staying on the EU course.
The ruling pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which has held a strong parliamentary majority since 2021, secured 49.6% of ballots, according to preliminary results.
The pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc came second, winning 24.6%.
More than 1.59 million, or about 51.9% of eligible voters, had voted in the election, the Central Electoral Commission reported.
Some 276,000 Moldovans have cast their ballots in polling stations abroad, which will remain open until 7 p.m. in their respective countries.
PAS maintains lead with more than 90% of the votes counted
The vote-counting continues apace in Moldova.
With more than 90% of votes counted, the ruling pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has won 46% of ballots versus 27% for the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, according to the country’s Central Electoral Commission.
Optimism at PAS headquarters as pro-EU party takes lead
We’re back in Chisinau at the election night headquarters of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which came to power in Moldova in 2021 on a staunchly pro-EU and pro-Western ticket.
Every now and then, we hear cheers from a room full of party members upstairs. For now, they have good reason to be optimistic: Early results show the party is out in front in the polls, with the pro-Russian opposition in second.
Pre-election polls showed PAS was projected to lose its majority and the final outcome of the vote is still far from clear.
PAS may find itself in need of coalition partners — something which could complicate the reform process needed for Moldova to become eligible to join the EU.
The pro-Russian opposition has already called for protests on Monday.
There is a heavy police presence on the streets of Chisinau, with law enforcement announcing they detained several people late on Sunday over suspected plans to stir up unrest.
Party of Action and Solidarity maintains lead with 70% of votes counted
Moldova’s Central Election Commission said the pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) had 44% of the vote after 70% of ballots had been counted.
Meanwhile, the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc had won 28% of the vote.
The vote count is still underway in most parts of the country.
Party of Action and Solidarity winning most votes in early counting — Electoral Commission
Moldova’s ruling pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has won 40% of the ballots counted so far in the parliamentary election, with 31.5% of the votes going to the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, according to the country’s Central Electoral Commission.
These figures come with 28% of votes counted.
Polling stations close in Moldova
Polling stations have closed for Moldova’s high-stakes parliamentary elections, which are crucial for the country’s political future.
Although exit polls were not conducted, preliminary results are expected later today.
The Central Electoral Commission reported that more than 1.59 million people had cast their ballots by 9 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT), accounting for approximately 51.9% of eligible voters.
This figure includes the 264,000 Moldovans who voted at polling stations set up abroad. These stations will remain open until 7 p.m. local time.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/moldova-ruling-pro-eu-party-wins-election/live-74163154