Moldova's pro-EU election win sparks relief from Brussels to Kiev

Chișinău [Moldova], September 30: Moldova's pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, handily beat the Moscow-friendly opposition to keep its parliamentary majority, official results from the weekend's election showed on Monday.
The outcome was welcomed across European capitals - from Kiev to Berlin to Brussels - as a clear signal of Moldova's Western course. The ballot in one of Europe's poorest nations, wedged between EU member Romania and war-torn Ukraine, was seen as a key test of its geopolitical direction. Moldova, home to 2.4 million people, has been an EU candidate since 2022.
After all the ballots were counted, PAS won 50.20% of the vote, securing a majority of the 101 seats in parliament.
The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc of former president Igor Dodon trailed 24.17%, the Central Election Commission in Chi?in?u said. Voter turnout was 52.21%.
Sandu has said she aims to continue pursuing the goal of EU membership by 2030.
European leaders swiftly welcomed the result. "The future of Moldova is in Europe!" European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on X, calling the vote "a historic step forward" and proof that Moldovans had chosen "democracy, hope and opportunities."
European Council President Antonio Costa said the people had delivered a "loud and clear" message for reform and a European future "in the face of pressure and interference from Russia."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Moldovans' resolve, saying "no attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve. You made your choice clear: Europe. Democracy. Freedom," von der Leyen added."
Source: Qatar Tribune