The EEAS spokesperson said on Monday 25 February that the previous day's parliamentary elections in Moldova had been “competitive” and that fundamental rights had been “generally observed”, despite many shortcomings, during the campaign and on election day.
“All shortcomings identified by the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission should be addressed on the basis of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations for future elections at all levels”, she warned. In addition, according to the spokesperson, these elections, the first under the new mixed electoral system, confirmed the need to follow up on the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the OSCE and to continue efforts to bring electoral legislation and its implementation into line with international standards.
In her statement, the spokesperson regretted, among other things, during the election, “allegations of pressure on public employees, strong indications of vote buying and the misuse of state resources”, but also the control and ownership of the media by political actors limited the range of viewpoints presented to voters.
The EU will continue to closely monitor developments after the elections in order to assess its impact on democracy and pluralism, she stressed.
According to preliminary results, the pro-Russian President's Socialist Party leads with 31.4% of the vote. The pro-European Alliance ACUM obtained 26% and the Democratic Party 24%. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)