Moldova’s governing party, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) led by President Maia Sandu, has won the elections with about 50% of the vote, securing 55 seats in the 101-member parliament despite massive Russian interference. The pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc received just 24% of the vote.
Russia tried to interfere with the election with a massive propaganda campaign through Telegram, bussing in voters from outside the country, paying people to vote, and constant cyber-attacks. Bomb threats were also made in Moldovan polling stations in Spain and Italy. Russia has spent up to €200 million in this campaign. The pro-Russian party is now calling for protests across the capital city of Chișinău and in front of parliament but rabble rousers are being arrested in advance.
Moldova has faced strong Russian interference over the years with Russia hoping it would capture the country like it did with Georgia. Russia is still occupying the eastern Transnistria region of Moldova, but hopes for Russia to keep this enclave are fading as Moldova gears to join the EU.
Newsroom
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