Moldova Parliamentary Elections 2025: PAS Leads Amid Cybersecurity Threats and Disinformation

In Moldova, the parliamentary elections have ended: polling stations inside the country closed at 9:00 p.m., but some overseas polling stations continued to operate. Vote counting is underway. According to the Central Electoral Commission, more than 1.6 million voters participated, turnout was 52.07% of the total registered.

According to preliminary data from the CEC, the lead is the party “Action and Solidarity” (PAS), led by incumbent president Maia Sandu; in second place is the pro-Russian “Patriotic Bloc.” Other political forces are still polling under 10%.

Security challenges during the vote and after

In the context of the vote, a series of cyberattacks on the electoral infrastructure were recorded: according to preliminary estimates, about 4,000 websites ceased operation. There were also reports of alleged bomb threats to overseas polling stations in Brussels, Rome and Genoa, Bucharest, Asheville and Alicante.

254 violations were recorded, among which the most widespread were violations of the secrecy of the vote and group voting. There were also reports of illegal campaigning, the presence of unauthorized persons at polling stations, and problems with voter lists.

Polish law enforcement officials reported the detention of three people who, according to them, were preparing disturbances in Chișinău after the voting ended. Fireworks and flammable materials were seized from those detained, which could have been used to create panic and chaos.

The Moldovan president Maia Sandu said that Russia was preparing an “unprecedented interference” in the parliamentary elections.

As for the influence of external powers on the process, the country’s authorities drew attention to the possibility of interference from Russia. According to official sources, the authorities monitor the activity of various influence tools aimed at weakening democratic processes and discrediting the electoral process. In the context of these data, experts note a growing risk in the electoral system and call for transparency and accountability during vote counting.

As part of the ongoing discussion on security and the democratic process, on September 14 Maia Sandu emphasized that Moscow had intensified its online disinformation campaign, notably against the diaspora, and also accused Russia of using Orthodox priests to spread propaganda and of launching the “Matryoshka” network of bots to create fake content under the guise of legitimate foreign media. These theses underscore the importance of information security during the electoral process and the need for a critical approach to information sources.

Russia has intensified its online disinformation campaign, notably against the diaspora, and accused Moscow of using Orthodox priests to spread propaganda and of launching the Matryoshka bot network to create fake content under the guise of legitimate foreign media.

Summary and future steps

After polling stations closed across most of the country and overseas sections continued to operate, a detailed vote count and publication of official results are expected. The authorities emphasize the importance of security in the electoral process and the integrity of the tally, as well as the need to respond prudently to any signs of external pressure or disinformation campaigns. Further actions by politicians and citizens should focus on strengthening democratic institutions and supporting the country’s stable course.