Five political entities are set to enter Moldova's new parliament - three parties and two coalitions, according to partial preliminary results announced by the Central Election Commission (CEC), which publishes the data in real time, BTA reported.
With 94 percent of the protocols processed, the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, founded by President Maia Sandu, receives 47.4 percent of the vote.
In second place is the opposition Patriotic Bloc, composed of four pro-Russian parties, which has collected, according to partial preliminary results, nearly 26 percent. The opposition coalition is organizing a protest in front of the CEC building this evening.
In third place is the “Alternative“ bloc, led by Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban, former Prime Minister Ion Chicu, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate Alexander Stoyanoglou, and former presidential advisor Mark Tkachuk. “Alternative“ is collecting nearly 8.5 percent, according to partial preliminary data from the CEC.
“Our Party“ of Renato Usatii overtook the “Democracy at Home“ party based on earlier results and is now in fourth place with 6.2 percent.
“Democracy at Home“ party, led by Vasile Kostyuk, is collecting 5.6 percent. This formation advocates the unification of Moldova and Romania.
The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity is also in the lead in votes abroad, according to preliminary data from the Central Election Commission. In second place is the Patriotic Bloc, and in third - – “Our Party“. However, voting is still ongoing in some of the polling stations abroad due to the time difference. Voting will end in the USA and Canada at 7:00 a.m. Moldovan time on Monday.
For the parliamentary elections in Moldova, 301 polling stations were opened in a total of 41 countries around the world. 1,973 polling stations were opened across the country.
The Central Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 52.11 percent.
The remaining parties, coalitions and independent candidates did not garner enough votes to elect representatives to the 101-seat legislature, according to partial results.
To elect deputies, parties must receive more than 5 percent of the vote, and coalitions must receive more than 7 percent. Independent candidates, of whom there are four, should garner more than 2 percent.
The elections were held at a crucial time for Moldova, which is an EU candidate but is in close proximity to the war in Ukraine and, according to Moldovan authorities, is regularly subjected to pressure and hybrid attacks from Moscow.
Russia denies interfering in Moldova's internal affairs and has accused Moldovan authorities of fomenting anti-Russian hysteria to win the elections.
The Action and Solidarity Party (ASP), founded by Maia Sandu, promises Moldova's EU membership by 2030. However, without a parliamentary majority, the party will have difficulty achieving this goal, as it will need coalition partners among parties with a pro-Russian orientation, at least in the past. The leader of the PDS, Igor Grossu - the current speaker of the parliament, stated a few days ago that if the PDS does not receive a majority, it will move into opposition.