VICTORY FOR MOLDOVA’S ruling pro-EU party at key parliamentary elections was a “loud and clear” message from voters despite Russian meddling, according to EU leaders.
President of the European Commission Ursela von der Leyen said voters in the Eastern European nation had opted for “freedom”, while another EU chief said citizens made their choice in the face of “pressure and interference” from Russia.
Antonio Costa, European Council chief, said they “chose democracy, reform, and a European future”, in a post on X.
The acclaim came after results showed that pro-European party of Moldovan President Maia Sandu was on its way to winning the weekend election.
With almost all ballots counted, Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity is on course to claim just over 50% over the vote – compared to 24.26% for the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc.
“The people of Moldova have spoken and their message is loud and clear. They chose democracy, reform, and a European future, in the face of pressure and interference from Russia. The EU stands with Moldova. Every step of the way,” European Council head Costa wrote on X.
The people of Moldova have spoken and their message is loud and clear.
They chose democracy, reform, and a European future, in the face of pressure and interference from Russia
The EU stands with Moldova. Every step of the way. 🇲🇩🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/ceYdXjt0O7
— António Costa (@eucopresident) September 29, 2025
The small country, which borders Ukraine and has a pro-Russia breakaway region, has long been divided over whether to move closer to Brussels or maintain Soviet-era relations with Moscow.
It’s also a candidate European Union membership, with the election seen by pro-European backers as another step towards that move.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk warmly congratulated Sandu and her pro-EU party on their election win on Monday, saying they had managed to “save democracy” from Russian interference.
“It took real courage of the Moldovan nation and Maia Sandu personally to win this election,” Tusk said in a social media post.
“Not only did you save democracy and kept the European course but you have also stopped Russia in its attempts to take control over the whole region. A good lesson for us all.”
With reporting from – © AFP2025
