Moldova‘s⁢ Ruling ⁢Party Secures Victory in Parliamentary Election⁣ Amidst Russian Interference Allegations

CHIȘINĂU, Moldova – Moldova’s pro-European ⁤People’s Action and Solidarity (PAS) ‌party won a parliamentary election‍ Sunday, securing a clear path toward continued EU integration, according to results released Monday. The victory comes ‌as the country alleges a concerted effort‌ by russia to destabilize the election through disinformation, cyberattacks, and attempts to‌ incite unrest.

Alleged⁣ Russian⁢ schemes included⁣ orchestrating a large-scale vote-buying scheme, conducting more than⁣ 1,000 cyberattacks on critical ‌government infrastructure‍ so far this year, a plan to incite ‌riots around Sunday’s election, and a sprawling disinformation campaign​ online.

Election day ‍was marked by incidents including ‍bomb threats at multiple polling stations abroad, cyberattacks on electoral and government​ infrastructure, voters photographing their ballots, and reports of illegal transportation of voters to polling stations. Three individuals were⁢ detained on suspicion of plotting to cause unrest following the vote.

Igor Dodon, a former president and member of the pro-russian Patriotic Electoral ‍Bloc, alleged, without providing evidence, that the ruling PAS party meddled with the vote and called​ for‍ a protest in front of the Parliament building on Monday.Police warned that‌ individuals had been “promised money” to ‌attend the protest and cautioned against participation, stating organizers bear⁤ “absolute responsibility” ‍for any illegal actions.

PAS campaigned on⁢ a platform of accelerating Moldova’s path to EU membership, aiming to sign an accession treaty with the 27-nation bloc‍ by 2028, alongside pledges to double incomes, modernize infrastructure, and​ combat corruption.

Cristian Cantir, an associate professor of international relations at Oakland University, described the PAS‌ victory as “a clear win for pro-European forces in Moldova,” enabling continuity in pursuing EU integration.He added that “Moldova will continue to be in a ‌tough geopolitical habitat characterized by Russia’s attempts to pull it back into its‌ sphere of influence.”

Approximately 1.6⁤ million ​people, representing 52.1% of eligible voters, cast ballots, including 280,000⁤ votes from polling stations abroad, according to the Central​ Electoral Commission.