Moldova chooses its next parliament: Key contenders revealed
Moldovans vote for the country's parliament (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
In Moldova, parliamentary elections are being held today, where citizens are choosing over a hundred deputies who will govern the country for the next four years, according to NewsMaker.md.
The elections feature 14 parties, four blocs, and four independent candidates.
The main competition is expected between the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the Patriotic Bloc, which includes the Socialists, Communists, as well as the parties Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova.
A few days before the vote, the Chisinau Court of Appeals, at the request of the Ministry of Justice, suspended the activity of the party Heart of Moldova, the political force was suspected of illegal financing. As a result, the Central Election Commission removed the party from the list of election participants.
Favorites of the race
According to polls, Our Party and the bloc Alternative have strong chances of passing the threshold – various surveys predict they could receive between 4% and 10% of the vote.
Overall, to enter parliament, parties need at least 5%, electoral blocs – 7%, and independent candidates – 2%.
The elections are considered valid if at least 30% of citizens turn out to vote. Voting is taking place from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 1,973 polling stations, including 12 designated for residents of Transnistria.
Voters can check their registration location online at verifica.cec.md by entering their IDNP.
Voting abroad
For the diaspora outside the country, 301 polling stations have been opened. The largest numbers are in Italy (75), Germany (36), France (26), the UK (24), and Romania (23).
In ten countries, including the US and Canada, postal voting is also organized. Addresses for all polling stations are published on the official CEC website.
Elections in Moldova
Earlier, Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Russia is trying to influence the outcome of the parliamentary elections in the country.
On Friday, September 26, the CEC removed the pro-Russian party Moldova Mare from the elections. This political force is the successor of the Shor party, which was previously declared unconstitutional.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that a victory for pro-Russian parties in the elections would create risks for all countries in the region.
For more on how Sandu’s party is trying to maintain a pro-European course and how Russia seeks a comeback, read the full article by RBC-Ukraine.
