The first PAS: Moldovans voted to continue the European path

Voters from the Republic of Moldova decided in the parliamentary elections last Sunday to maintain their country's European path, despite the interference of the Russian Federation in the electoral campaign across the Prut. The final results posted yesterday on the website of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova reveal not just numbers, but a weighty decision for the future of the country: the Action and Solidarity Party, founded by Maia Sandu, won the parliamentary elections by a landslide, with over 50% of the votes, thus confirming a majority option for the European path. According to official data, 1,578,724 citizens participated in the election, and PAS obtained 792,557 votes (50.20%). The following positions were occupied by the "Patriotic Bloc" - 24.17% (381,505 votes) led by Igor Dodon - a pro-Russian political bloc, the "Alternativa" Electoral Bloc - 7.96% (125,673 votes), "Our Party" - 6.20% (97,852 votes) led by Renato Usatîi and the Democracy at Home Party (PPDA) - 5.63% (88,679 votes). For these elections, 2,274 polling stations were organized, of which 1,973 on the territory of the Republic of Moldova and 301 abroad. In Romania, there were 23 stations, where 29,209 votes were registered, of which 25,740 (88.12%) were for PAS. In the diaspora, 277,965 people voted, and the vast majority, 78.61%, voted for the Action and Solidarity party.

Sunday's parliamentary elections demonstrated that Moldovan democracy can withstand even the most difficult circumstances, said Maia Sandu, the President of the Republic of Moldova, yesterday, who emphasized the mobilizing power and the importance of each vote.

"We have shown the whole world that we are brave and worthy. We did not let ourselves be bought, intimidated, or scared. We mobilized and protected our country through our honest vote," said Maia Sandu, thanking both those who voted at home and the diaspora for the enormous effort made in favor of Moldova's European future.

He stressed that this election was not a victory of a party, but a victory of a nation that wants to consolidate its European path and protect its sovereignty: "The result of the vote is not the victory of a party or of some voters. It is the victory of the country and we must use this victory for the good of all citizens, regardless of who they voted for. Moldova is our home for all of us and we all want the same things. Let us live in peace, in freedom, let us ensure a good future for our children here at home, in safety. The shortest path to these goals is the European path.”

In the context of repeated attempts at interference by the Russian Federation, Maia Sandu sent a message of firmness and confidence: "The Russian Federation will not completely give up its actions of intimidation or pressure on the Republic of Moldova, but I believe that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova have convincingly demonstrated in these elections that we are people with dignity and we are courageous people. Moldova is a small country, but it is a strong country and only in this way can we defend our sovereignty and independence and the choice that the citizens made."

In his speech, Sandu also highlighted the decisive role of state institutions, the independent press and civil society, which countered vote-buying schemes and disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the Kremlin: "The Central Electoral Commission, the Police, the Intelligence and Security Service, the National Anti-Corruption Center, prosecutors, carabinieri, specialists in preventing cyber attacks, in combating money laundering, many other officials have been watching day and night to protect the integrity of electoral processes and the sovereign choice of Moldovans”.

At the same time, the leader from Chisinau warned that the European path requires courageous and decisive reforms, especially in the judiciary: "We must definitively eliminate this shameful phenomenon of vote-buying, first of all by ensuring that all those who organized these schemes are punished according to the law. The rule of law is a key element in building a strong democracy”.

Maia Sandu sent a message of unity and trust to citizens, inviting them to look beyond the electoral confrontations: "The elections are over and I know that many of you are tired. It has been a difficult and busy period. Now is the time for us all to come together and remember that there is more that unites us than what divides us. There are no winners and losers, because only together can we build a peaceful, secure and prosperous future for the Republic of Moldova”.

Her statements also marked an acknowledgement of the immense effort of the citizens in these times of external pressures and successive crises. "I wanted the Moldovans to decide for Moldova and I am glad that the Moldovans decided for Moldova despite all the attempts, despite the money that the Russian Federation spent to interfere in our internal affairs. Our European path is safe and we will have sufficient support for the process of accession to the European Union in the next Parliament”.

The message sent by the President of the Republic of Moldova is one of strength and geopolitical clarity: the choice made at the polls is not just about a parliamentary mandate, but about the strategic direction of a country that wants to shape its destiny in peace, dignity and freedom, within a united and solid Europe.

The Western press emphasized that PAS obtained an absolute majority and would not need to form complicated alliances to govern. At the same time, Russian media and pro-Moscow agencies published alternative versions, suggesting that the opposition obtained almost 46% of the votes or that there were elements of "fraud” or pressure, attempts at political manipulation aimed at challenging the legitimacy of the result.

The contextual analysis confirms that PAS will obtain 55 mandates in the 101-seat Parliament, i.e. a comfortable control, which will allow it to govern without the compromises that a governing coalition implies.

However, Moldova remains vulnerable to the Kremlin's hybrid attacks, but the vote in these elections clearly shows that the overwhelming majority of citizens want to live in a European, free and democratic country.