President Maia Sandu’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won 50.2 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, compared with 24.2 percent for the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, according to nearly final results released by electoral officials.
In a joint statement, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated the people of the former Soviet republic on their pro-Western choice.
Poland, France and Germany work together as part of a trilateral cooperation platform known as the Weimar Triangle.
"We, the leaders of the Weimar Triangle, closely followed the parliamentary elections that took place in the Republic of Moldova on 28 September," Tusk, Macron and Merz said in their statement.
"We congratulate the people of Moldova for their commitment to democracy at a pivotal crossroads," they added, noting the vote demonstrated a “strong will of Moldovan society to join the European Union.”
"We commend Moldovan society and competent authorities for the peaceful conduct of the election, despite unprecedented interference by Russia, including with vote-buying schemes and disinformation," the statement said.
"These hybrid attempts have sought to undermine the country's democratic institutions and its EU path," it added.
"However, despite various forms of manipulative interference to destabilise the country, Moldovan voters have shown once again that they will not allow their future in peace and freedom to be taken away from them," Tusk, Macron and Merz said.
'The EU and Moldova share a common future'
They pledged "to continue supporting Moldova’s democratic development, reforms and economic growth, as well as strengthening Moldova’s resilience, in particular on its path towards the European Union."
The EU and Moldova "share a common future," the three leaders declared.
'Europe, democracy, freedom'
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen also praised the result in a post on X, writing: "Moldova, you’ve done it again. No attempt to sow fear or division could break your resolve. You made your choice clear: Europe, democracy, freedom."
Von der Leyen added: "Our door is open. And we will stand with you every step of the way. The future is yours."
Ahead of the election, Sandu’s government warned that Russia was attempting to sway the vote through disinformation campaigns and vote-buying.
In the days before the ballot, election officials barred two pro-Russian parties from running, citing allegations of illegal financing.
Moldova is a small former Soviet republic sandwiched between Ukraine and EU member Romania.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl
Click on the audio player above to hear a report by Michał Owczarek.