Moldova Election: Sandu’s PAS Wins Decisive Majority and Blocks Kremlin’s Hybrid Operation

The pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) of President Maia Sandu has secured a sweeping victory in Moldova’s parliamentary elections, dealing a major blow to the Kremlin’s attempts to destabilize the country and reverse its European course.

According to the Central Electoral Commission, after processing 100% of the ballots, PAS received 50.2% of the vote, ensuring an outright majority in parliament for the second time in a row. The Patriotic Bloc of Socialists, Communists, and the Future of Moldova Party came in second with 24.17%.

Three other parties crossed the threshold: the Alternative Bloc (7.96%), Our Party (6.20%), and Democrația Acasă (5.62%). The remaining parties and independent candidates gained less than 1%. Voter turnout stood at 52%.

PAS Consolidates Power

This is not just a victory—it’s a mandate for Moldova’s European integration. For the second consecutive time, Sandu’s party will control at least 55 seats, enough to form a single-party government and sustain pro-European reforms despite Moscow’s efforts to derail them.

President Sandu called the result “a victory for Europe and democracy,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated her on a “critical victory.” French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also praised Moldovan voters for “defending European values under pressure.”

The outcome cements Moldova’s role as a critical partner for Ukraine and a frontline state in the EU’s eastern neighborhood amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Russian Networks Crushed—But Not Erased

The election took place under unprecedented pressure from Moscow. The Moldovan government dismantled several pro-Kremlin structures linked to fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, accused of financing disinformation campaigns, voter bribery, and paid protests.

Most parties associated with Shor were barred from the ballot. His close ally, Victoria Furtune’s “Moldova Mare,” which openly voiced territorial claims against Ukraine, was removed from the race mid-vote—meaning ballots cast for it were invalid.

Meanwhile, the Heart of Moldova, part of Igor Dodon’s Patriotic Bloc, was disqualified on the eve of election day for campaign violations, forcing Dodon to revise his list overnight.

Despite some observers criticizing it as heavy-handed, this crackdown proved effective, paralyzing the Kremlin’s political infrastructure and election meddling tactics before it could mobilize its electorate.

The “Shor Network”: Russia’s Cash-for-Votes Machine

For years, Moldovan elections have been shadowed by the so-called “Shor network”—a vast vote-buying mechanism distributing Russian money through Promsvyazbank, a bank linked to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

According to the Moldovan government, over 2,000 searches were conducted during the campaign, and dozens of local coordinators were detained.

Some analysts estimate the network previously reached 70,000–80,000 voters, mostly in rural areas and the Gagauzia autonomous region, Moscow’s traditional foothold.

By disrupting this operation, the Moldovan authorities not only safeguarded the elections but also neutralized one of Russia’s key tools of hybrid interference in Europe.

Pro-Russian Parties Rebrand to Survive

While Dodon’s bloc remains the largest opposition force, it has softened its anti-Western rhetoric, pledging to continue “Moldova’s European path—but on its terms.” Analysts view this as a strategic disguise aimed at maintaining Kremlin funding while avoiding legal risks.

A new wildcard is the Democrația Acasă (DA) party, which presented itself as a “unionist” force advocating Moldova’s unification with Romania. In reality, its leader, Vasile Coștiuc, is suspected of ties with the Russian FSB, as exposed by investigative journalists.

This paradox—a formally pro-Romanian party advancing Russian interests—reflects the Kremlin’s new hybrid playbook: co-opting movements across the political spectrum to fracture Moldova’s pro-EU consensus from within.

Tight Control, Few Ads, and the Return of Fear

Unlike previous elections filled with billboards and rallies, this campaign unfolded under strict financial scrutiny. Outdoor advertising was minimal—parties feared disqualification for violating spending limits.

The PAS party, while criticized for running a “campaign of fear,” effectively framed the vote as a civilizational choice: either EU integration or submission to Russia. The message resonated with voters wary of Kremlin aggression and economic instability.

Still, Sandu’s government faces economic challenges. Rising energy prices and inflation—consequences of Russia’s energy blackmail and the Russia-Ukraine war—have eroded public patience. Yet voters chose to prioritize security and democracy over populist promises.

Transnistria and the Battle for Sovereignty

The Transnistrian issue was another flashpoint. Two days before the vote, the CEC relocated key polling stations for residents of the Russian-controlled region, citing security concerns.

On election day, police reported bomb threats on bridges across the Dniester River, preventing many from crossing.

Critics accused the authorities of voter suppression. However, officials insist the decision was necessary to prevent organized manipulation by Russian-controlled Transnistrian groups—a tactic Moscow has repeatedly used in previous elections.

A Victory for the EU—and a Warning

The elections in Moldova were not only national, but also a geopolitical test for Europe. By securing a pro-European majority, Sandu’s government reaffirmed its commitment to EU integration and dealt a symbolic defeat to the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare.

But the victory also exposes the fragility of democracy under hybrid attack. If Moldova—a small, reformist state under constant Russian pressure—can resist interference, larger EU candidates like Ukraine or Georgia must be equally protected through institutional resilience and strategic communication.

For Brussels, the message is clear: Moscow’s hybrid operations target the EU enlargement process itself. Each disrupted election in the EU’s neighborhood is an attempt to undermine confidence in European democracy. Moldova, for now, has passed that test.