According to preliminary results from the parliamentary elections in Moldova, the Action and Solidarity (PAS) party, led by President Maia Sandu, has won an absolute majority of seats. The pro-Russian opposition has been defeated.
With approximately 97 percent of the votes counted, PAS has won 49.7 percent, securing 54 of the 101 seats. This is fewer than the 61 seats it had in the previous parliament.
The pro-European Alternative bloc is expected to win eight seats. The pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, comprising the Socialist Party led by former President Igor Dodon, the Communist Party led by Vladimir Voronin, and the Future of Moldova party led by former Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, has won 24.5 percent of the vote, securing 27 seats.
The Democracy at Home party, led by Vasile Kostyuk, which supports the unification of Moldova and Romania, and the Our Party, led by Renato Usati, also entered parliament. The latter declared: “We are not ‘marrying’ either the Russians or PAS.”
The elections were held under a proportional system, with party lists. Parties had to overcome a 5 percent threshold, and alliances had to overcome 7 percent.
In the period leading up to the vote, the election campaign was accompanied by scandals and mutual accusations of possible fraud. Dozens of people were arrested before the vote on charges of preparing mass unrest.
