Moldova's pro-EU party wins key polls

MOLDOVAS ruling pro-EU party won parliamentary elections with the backing of more than half of voters, according to results yesterday for polls overshadowed by accusations of Russian interference in the ex-Soviet country.

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The small EU candidate nation, which borders Ukraine and has a pro-Russia breakaway region, has long been divided over whether to move closer with Brussels or maintain Soviet-era relations with Moscow.

The weekend's elections were seen as crucial for the country to maintain its push towards EU integration, launched after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

European Council head Antonio Costa said Moldova had chosen a “European future’, Poland’s prime minister hailed Moldova for foiling Russian ambitions while France congratulated Moldovans on their “sovereign” choice.

But analysts warned that the ruling party’s victory was “fragile” and that Russia could yet stir trouble.