Moldovans have participated in a parliamentary election, which is seen as critical for the nation’s future path towards the European Union. The vote featured a close contest between President Maia Sandu’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc.
Prior to the election, Moldovan authorities and President Sandu made allegations of “massive Russian interference,” with President Sandu expressing concerns that the nation’s young democracy was at risk. A BBC investigation reportedly identified a network offering payments for the dissemination of pro-Russian propaganda and misinformation. In contrast, Igor Dodon, a leader within the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, asserted that pro-European authorities intended to cancel the election, claiming the pro-Russian opposition was poised to win. Moldova also has a pro-Russian breakaway region, Transnistria, where a Russian military presence is maintained. The election results are currently awaited.
Source: www.bbc.com