Moldova‘s pro-Western ruling party has beaten out Russia‘s meddling and secured another term in power, winning just over 50% of the vote in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. The result hands the party of President Maia Sandu an outright majority. It shows that even in Europe’s poorest country, where Russian influence has historically been entrenched, voters can reject Moscow’s money, media, and manipulations when given a clear choice.
The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc finished second with about 24%. This was well below expectations given the scale of Russian efforts to sway the outcome. Reports documented millions of euros funneled into Moldovan politics through intermediaries, front organizations, and even criminal networks. Authorities warned that Russia planned to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to influence the elections via vote-buying,
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