A Fragile Vote for Europe - Pro-EU Coalition Wins Majority in Polarized Moldovan Elections
A Fragile Vote for Europe - Pro-EU Coalition Wins Majority in Polarized Moldovan Elections

Author(s): Michal Šimečka
Subject(s): Politics, Government/Political systems, Electoral systems, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
Published by: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů
Keywords: Moldova; election; EU; integration;
Summary/Abstract: Moldova stays on course toward closer EU integration after Sunday's general election delivered a narrow parliamentary majority for the ruling coalition. In a poll framed as a choice between Europe and Russia, the three pro-EU parties - the centrist Liberal Democrats, left-leaning Democrats, and centre-right Liberals - captured 46 percent of the popular vote, and 55 seats in the 101-member Parliament. But as they prepare to form a new government, electoral momentum also rests with pro-Russian forces. The Kremlin-backed Socialist party, calling for Moldova to renege on the EU Association Agreement to join the Russian-led Customs Union, surged from obscurity to win the largest share of the popular vote with almost 21 percent. The slightly more moderate Communist party finished third with 17 percent. The upshot is a polarised political environment that will require a nuanced and inclusive approach by the new government and the EU.

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