Moldova bans Kremlin-linked fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor's bloc from elections
Photo: Parliament of Moldova (Getty Images)
The Central Election Commission of Moldova has denied registration for the pro-Russian Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc, led by fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The decision was made by a majority vote, the Moldovan media outlet Telegraph Moldova reports.
The bloc was denied registration due to numerous violations committed by the political force. In particular, Pobeda made errors in its documents and failed to meet the legal requirements of the country's electoral legislation.
Parliamentary elections in Moldova are scheduled for September 28, 2025. The mandate of the current parliament expired on July 11.
What is Pobeda Political Bloc
Pobeda/Victory is a pro-Russian opposition political coalition in Moldova, created on April 21, 2024, in Moscow. The bloc's main agenda is to derail Moldova's European integration and instead align with Russia.
Its founder and leader is pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, who fled Moldova for Russia and obtained a Russian passport. In Moldova, Shor is under investigation for allegedly embezzling one billion dollars of state funds.
The executive secretary and top candidate on the party list is the notorious pro-Russian figure and governor of Gagauzia (an autonomous region within Moldova), Eugenia Gutul. She is known for bringing money from Russia to Moldova between 2019 and 2022 and for her openly pro-Putin views. She is currently under US sanctions.
On July 15, the EU approved a new package of sanctions against pro-Russian politicians and organizations in Moldova. Brussels has stated that Moscow is attempting to destabilize the country ahead of the parliamentary elections.
