On Sunday, September 28, Moldova will hold parliamentary elections that will determine the country’s fate for years to come.
The key issues in the election campaign are the future of Moldova’s European integration and the potential threat of war, which some say could reach the country. The BBC reports that in the run-up to the elections, Moldova has faced unprecedented pressure from Kremlin-linked forces, who have been engaged in vote-buying and disinformation on social media.
On Sunday, citizens will elect 101 members of parliament who will determine the country’s political path for the next four years. As a parliamentary republic, the parliament plays a key role in governing the state.
This is the first primary election campaign since last year’s presidential election and referendum on EU membership, which ended in a victory for pro-Europeans and President Maia Sandu. Currently, the Action and Solidarity (PAS) party, led by Sandu, has a single majority in parliament and is seeking to maintain its dominance.
The main competitors in the elections are the PAS party and the Patriotic Electoral Bloc led by former President Igor Dodon, which has close ties to the Kremlin. Analysts say the polls are of historic importance not only for Moldova, but also for Ukraine and Europe as a whole.
The vote comes at a crucial moment in the country’s path to joining the European Union. Moldova has already been granted EU candidate status and is on the verge of starting formal accession negotiations. Maintaining a pro-Western government in Chisinau could significantly advance the European integration process in the years to come. At the same time, any other outcome would either halt or slow down Moldova’s path to Europe.
