Moldova’s Next Crossroads

Moldova faces a critical parliamentary election on 28 September, characterized by a struggle between the pro-European ruling party PAS and various Russian-allied or populist blocs. While PAS aims for EU integration by 2028, it faces challenges from slow judicial reform and extensive Russian hybrid warfare, including the use of troll farms and disinformation to influence undecided voters. The outcome will determine whether Moldova continues its path toward the EU or shifts back toward Russian influence.

• The pro-European ruling party PAS is projected by opinion polls to finish first in the parliamentary elections but is unlikely to secure a majority, with expected support between 30 and 40 per cent.
• PAS has set five primary goals for its platform: achieving EU integration by 2028, doubling exports, doubling the income of the working population, repairing 3,000 kilometres of roads, and promoting national culture and traditions.
• The Kremlin-allied Patriotic Bloc, led by former president Igor Dodon, is polling around 20 per cent and advocates for neutrality, the official status of the Russian language, and opposition to joining NATO.
• Renato Usatîi's 'Our Party' targets anti-system voters with a platform that includes reducing the number of MPs from 101 to 51, removing legal immunity, and providing 10,000 euros for every child born.
• Russian influence operations in Moldova utilize 'troll farms' and 'bot armies' funded by Moscow to spread disinformation, exploit economic instability, and undermine EU integration through platforms like TikTok.
• The ruling party's credibility has been hampered by the slow pace of judicial reform and the fact that some prominent political leaders involved in high-scale corruption remain free.

APA

Erizanu, P. (2025). Moldova’s Next Crossroads. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/moldovas-next-crossroads/

Chicago

Erizanu, Paula. Moldova’s Next Crossroads. Green European Journal, 2025. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/moldovas-next-crossroads/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Erizanu |first1=Paula |title=Moldova’s Next Crossroads |publisher=Green European Journal |date=23 September 2025 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/moldovas-next-crossroads/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{erizanu2025moldovas, author = {Erizanu, Paula}, title = {{Moldova’s Next Crossroads}}, institution = {Green European Journal}, year = {2025}, month = sep, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/moldovas-next-crossroads/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }