Moldova's ruling pro-European PAS party is leading key parliamentary elections that could affect the country's bid to join the European Union, with 44% of the vote compared to 30% for the pro-Russian opposition after more than half of the ballots had been counted.
Polling stations closed at 9 p.m. local time with an estimated turnout of 51.9 percent, according to data released by the Central Election Commission. Nearly 264,000 people voted abroad.
Moldova's Central Election Commission said the pro-EU Party won 44% of the vote after 70% of ballots were counted.
Meanwhile, the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc won 28% of the vote. Vote counting is still underway in most of the country.
According to Kamil Calus of the Center for Eastern Studies in Warsaw, the results from small towns will be known first, followed by those from larger cities and then, lastly, the diaspora votes. Voters from abroad played a key role in Moldova's presidential election in 2024 and could do so again this time.
Calus stressed that the partial results "should not be treated as final, or even close to final" and could vary significantly.
No exit polls were conducted during the vote, but pre-election polls had given four political forces a chance of entering parliament. Results are expected on Monday morning. The ruling pro-EU Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) is struggling to hold on to power in the face of voter discontent with economic hardship and slow progress in the fight against corruption.