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On Eve of Vote, Moldova Bars Two Pro‑Russia Parties and Warns of Kremlin Meddling

Officials describe a Kremlin‑backed effort using cash, provocateurs, bot networks to sway the outcome.

A woman runs in front of the government building, decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags in Chisinau, Moldova, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, ahead of parliamentary elections taking place on Sept. 28. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A gendarme watches as supporters hold flags at a protest rally of the Russia-friendly Patriotic Electoral Bloc in Chisinau, Moldova, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, ahead of parliamentary elections taking place on Sept. 28. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A woman walks in front of the government building, decorated with European Union and Moldovan flags, in Chisinau, Moldova, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, ahead of parliamentary elections taking place on Sept. 28. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Irina Vlah, leader of the Heart of Moldova Republican Party and one of the leaders of the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, attends a rally launching the election campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections, at the Capriana Monastery in the village of Capriana, Moldova August 29, 2025. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo

Overview

  • Moldova’s Central Electoral Commission excluded Heart of Moldova and Moldova Mare from Sunday’s ballot, citing illegal financing, vote‑buying and undeclared foreign funds, following a court ruling that restricted Heart of Moldova’s activities for 12 months.
  • Authorities said the Russia‑friendly Patriotic Electoral Bloc must overhaul its candidate list after Heart of Moldova’s removal, tightening pressure on one of PAS’s main challengers.
  • Police detained 74 people in sweeping raids tied to alleged plans to incite unrest, and the national security chief said a GRU‑linked network trained more than 100 Moldovans in Serbia for pre‑ and post‑electoral violence.
  • Disinformation has surged online, with TikTok reporting the removal of more than 4,500 pieces of content and 100,000 fake accounts as bot networks push pro‑Russian narratives and unfounded fraud claims.
  • Russia denies meddling as polls open Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, with surveys indicating PAS may remain the largest party but could lose its majority and diaspora turnout potentially shaping the result.