Fri Sep 26 22:39:31 UTC 2025: **Moldova Election Thrown into Turmoil as Pro-Russian Parties Banned**
**Chisinau, Moldova** – Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary election has been rocked by controversy after the electoral commission barred two pro-Russian parties, Heart of Moldova and Moldova Mare, from participating in Sunday’s vote. The decision, announced Friday, cited allegations of illegal financing, voter bribery, and undeclared foreign funds.
The bans have ignited fierce debate, with the affected parties decrying the move as a politically motivated purge designed to silence opposition voices. Heart of Moldova leader Irina Vlah condemned the ruling as a “political spectacle” orchestrated by the governing Action and Solidarity (PAS) party. The party’s exclusion followed a court ruling restricting its activities for 12 months after accusations of money laundering and attempts to bribe voters.
The commission alleges that Moldova Mare engaged in vote-buying and received hidden financing from abroad, also accusing the party of involvement in a “camouflaged electoral bloc” linked to a previously banned party.
The election is considered a pivotal moment for Moldova, which gained EU candidate status in 2022. The outcome will determine whether the nation continues its pro-Western trajectory or shifts back towards Moscow’s sphere of influence. The PAS, led by President Maia Sandu, currently holds a strong parliamentary majority but faces challenges from consolidated Russia-friendly blocs.
The Kremlin has dismissed the allegations of interference as “anti-Russian” and “unsubstantiated.” As the election draws near, the bans have injected significant uncertainty and heightened tensions in the already polarized political landscape. The Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP), allied with Heart of Moldova, has been given 24 hours to adjust its candidate list to remain eligible for the ballot.
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