By Dan Peleschuk
CHISINAU, Moldova (Reuters) -Moldova’s ruling pro-EU party pulled comfortably ahead of its Russian-leaning rival in a crucial parliamentary election as final results trickled in on Monday, a relief for the government as it seeks to keep the country out of Moscow’s orbit.
With around 93% of votes counted, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) had 47% versus 27% for the Patriotic Bloc, which opposes closer ties with Brussels.
While still short of a majority in the 101-seat chamber, the preliminary count gets PAS closer to the threshold than many political analysts had expected and could make coalition-building less fraught than feared.
And with more ballots to come in from overseas voters, who tend to favour integration with Europe, it remains possible PAS will get over 50% in the final tally.
Holding on to its parliamentary majority would allow the party to keep Moldova’s EU bid on track, a process requiring years of concerted legislative efforts.
AN ACRIMONIOUS BUILDUP TO KEY POLL
The buildup to what PAS leaders have called the most consequential election in Moldova since independence was marred by accusations of foul play by both sides up to and on the day of polling.
President Maia Sandu’s government warned Moldovans that Russia had attempted to sway the vote through widespread disinformation and vote-buying.
Stanislav Secrieru, Sandu’s national security adviser, said election infrastructure and government websites had come under cyber attack, and that fake bomb threats were called into polling stations in Moldova and abroad.
Moscow has denied meddling in Moldova.
On Sunday, Patriotic Bloc co-leader Igor Dodon, a former Moldovan president, called for protests in front of parliament on Monday, claiming that Sandu was planning to annul the vote. He did not provide evidence.
Authorities will watch closely to see if Dodon follows through on the threat, and what crowds he can command if he does.
In the days leading up to the vote, election officials barred two pro-Russian parties from the ballot amid allegations of illegal financing.
PULLED EAST AND WEST
Authorities late on Sunday had warned of attempts to stir unrest following the vote, part of a campaign that they blamed on Russian-backed efforts to disrupt the election if it did not go in the bloc’s favour.
Moldova – a former Soviet republic of 2.4 million people that has been buffeted by the war in neighbouring Ukraine, alleged Russian interference and energy shortages – has long vacillated between Russia and Europe.
Opposition groups like the Patriotic Bloc had sought to tap into voter anger over economic pain and the slow pace of reforms – grievances worsened by what officials say has been widespread disinformation.
Inflation remains stubbornly high at around 7%, while Moldovans also shoulder higher costs for imported energy.
But the stronger-than-expected electoral performance by PAS suggests its platform of European integration and breaking with Russia still resonates among wide swathes of voters.
A near-full, preliminary count is usually known in the early hours of the following morning after the closure of polls at 1800 GMT on Sunday. Votes from expatriate Moldovans can take another day to come in.
(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Leslie Adler)
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