Moldova’s pro-European ruling party is running neck-and-neck with a pro-Russian alliance ahead of next weekend’s parliamentary elections, widely framed as an existential battle for the nation’s direction. President Maia Sandu has warned of a “new battle” with Russia at the ballot box, while her opponents amplify fears about a decadent Europe and an impending winter energy crisis.
Pro-European PAS Versus Pro-Russian BEP
For the past five years, Sandu and her Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) have pushed to anchor Moldova’s trajectory firmly toward the European Union. But they now face a strong challenge from the Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP) – a pro-Russian coalition comprising the Socialists, Communists, Heart of Moldova Party, and Future of Moldova Party.
Of the four parties or blocs polling above the five percent threshold needed to enter parliament, only PAS is firmly in favor of EU accession.
Campaign of Emotion and Fear
According to Angela Gramada, director of the Bucharest-based think tank Expert for Security and Global Affairs, the September 28 election is once again being fought on emotion and fear rather than party policy.
“The church will again claim that Moldova’s EU accession will threaten religious freedom and lead to the closure of churches,” Gramada told BIRN. “Some parties will perpetuate the unfounded notion that foreigners will seize our land, that the EU represents moral decay, and that only Russia can safeguard Moldova’s interests.”
EU Accession Versus Russian Influence
The vote is widely seen as a test of Moldova’s European aspirations against Moscow’s continued political and cultural influence. The outcome will shape the country’s path on key issues such as energy security, democratic reforms, and foreign policy alignment with the West.
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