Moldova’s parliamentary elections on 28 September 2025 confirmed strong support for the country’s European path. With an absolute majority, the ruling PAS party now has a clear mandate to lead. Yet challenges remain, from economic uncertainty and justice reform to questions of regional security. We asked 3 questions to Robert Sperfeld, Senior Programme Officer in the East and South East Europe Division of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, on what the results reveal about voters’ priorities, the country’s reform agenda, and the implications for EU integration and relations with NATO.
1. What do the election results reveal about voters’ priorities and the balance of power in Moldova’s parliament?
The results above all show broad support for Moldova’s path towards membership in the European Union. With its absolute majority of seats in the Parliament, the ruling PAS party has a solid basis to further lead reform policy in the country. But this also means a big responsibility to do so effectively.
2. Which economic and governance challenges are likely to dominate the new parliament’s agenda, and how might they shape Moldova’s internal reforms?
The overall economic framework conditions remain difficult for Moldova mainly for two reasons. First is the ongoing Russian war against neighboring Ukraine that poses unpredictable risks for bigger investments in the country. Secondly, the welfare and income gap between Moldova and the adjacent EU countries remains quite high, so workforce has high incentive to leave the country with an anyway for demographic reasons sharply shrinking population. The most urgent governance challenge is the completion of the justice reform.
3. How could this reinforced mandate for the PAS party affect Moldova’s bid for EU membership and closer ties with NATO, and what obstacles might lie ahead?
No more excuses for both Moldova’s government and the European Commission and its member states to delay accession negotiations. At the end of this legislative term, tangible results and clear benefits of the pro-democratic and pro-European path must realise. NATO membership is no priority for Moldova as this might further polarise the society, provoke tensions with the separatist region of Transnistria and exceed capacities for investments into the military. By the end of this legislative term, tangible results and clear socio-economic benefits of the pro-democratic and European path must be evident.
