Moldova: Patriotic Bloc Head Calls for Protests Following PAS Victory

Igor Dodon, head of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, has called for public demonstrations, Orda.kz reports, citing Interfax.

We see that PAS is in panic, especially after the diaspora vote. For us, it is obvious the ruling party lost. The opposition won, and we must defend this victory together,
 Dodon said.

The Insider reports that exiled businessman Ilan Șor, speaking on Russian television, echoed the call. His Victory bloc was barred from running in July over his involvement, with the election commission citing violations of the political party law.

Șor, convicted in connection with the 2014 banking fraud that drained around $1 billion from Moldovan banks, has also faced accusations of financing protests and voter bribery. He is currently in Russia, where he remains an outspoken critic of Sandu’s pro-European government.

With 99.8% of protocols processed, the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) received 50.15% of the vote. This secures the party at least 55 of the 101 seats in parliament.

The pro-Russian “Patriotic Electoral Bloc” came second with 24.19%. The bloc includes the Socialist Party led by former president Igor Dodon, the Communist Party led by former president Vladimir Voronin, and the “Future of Moldova” party.

Third place went to the moderately pro-European party “Alternative” with 7.97%, followed by the populist “Our Party” with 6.20%.