Overview

• Police detained Gabriel Kelin, a pro-Russian candidate from the Christian‑Social Union, after searches linked to alleged illegal party financing via a Russian cryptocurrency exchange banned in the EU, as broader inquiries into vote buying and paid protests continue.
• The Central Election Commission finalized results with PAS at 50.2%, the Patriotic Block at 24.17%, Alternative at 7.96%, Our Party at 6.20%, and Democracy at Home at 5.62%, with voter turnout at 52.21%.
• President Maia Sandu thanked voters and called the outcome a victory for the country, urging judicial reform and tougher enforcement against vote buying and disinformation.
• Moldovan authorities reported extensive attempts by Russia to sway the elections, which preceded the vote and triggered heightened scrutiny of campaign financing and organized protests.
• A DGAP analyst said the result shows voters recognized high geopolitical stakes and resisted Russian pressure, noting the surprise entry of Democracy at Home, which she assessed as boosted by Romanian AUR support and TikTok outreach.