Moldova ’s pro-European Union ruling party decisively defeated its Russian-leaning rival in a crucial parliamentary election on Monday, signalling strong support for the country’s EU integration and distancing from Moscow .

The strong performance on Sunday by President Maia Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity against the Patriotic Bloc will be a relief for the government and its European partners, who had accused Moscow of seeking to influence the outcome.

Polls leading up to the election put PAS and Patriotic Bloc neck-and-neck, with neither likely to get close to a majority. The near-final tally by Moldova’s electoral commission allows the government to push for its goal of EU membership by 2030.

Accusations Of Russian Meddling In The Vote

It also spares Moldova the political h

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