Following Moldova’s recent parliamentary vote, European and Ukrainian leaders welcomed a victory for the pro‑European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), saying attempts by Russia to influence the outcome had failed and that the result committed the country to closer ties with Europe.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, wrote on X: “Your choice is clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom.” She added: “Our door is open. We will travel the entire road together with you.”
French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted “the desire for freedom and sovereignty” expressed in the result. António Costa, president of the European Council, called the result “a choice for democracy, reform and a European future.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof congratulated President Maia Sandu and her party. “This result means that Moldova is taking a clear new step toward Europe. The Netherlands fully supports this course,” Schoof wrote.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk complimented Moldova and Sandu for their “great courage” and said they had maintained a democratic course and fended off Russian influence. “You have prevented Russia from getting a grip on the entire region – a lesson for all of us,” he wrote.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to news agency ANP, said Russia “did not succeed in destabilizing Moldova.”
PAS received about half of the votes. European leaders said the outcome was a clear signal that Moldova wants to break away from Russian influence and deepen ties with the European Union.
The elections were not without controversy. Leading up to the ballot there were rumors of widespread Russian interference, including attempts to buy hundreds of thousands of votes, as well as bomb threats at polling stations and cyber attacks on election authorities.
