Moldovan Authorities Suspend Two Pro-Russian Parties From Participating In Parliamentary Elections
- 27.09.2025, 13:00
The decision was made on the basis of a notification from the Information and Security Service.
Moldovan authorities have excluded another pro-Russian party from the Moscow-oriented Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP), a four-party group competing with the ruling pro-Western Action and Solidarity party, from the September 28 parliamentary elections.
The party in question is Moldova Mare (Greater Moldova), led by Victoria Furtune. The party, like the previously suspended Heart of Moldova, is accused by Chisinau of illegal financing and vote-buying.
The decision to suspend Moldova Mare was decided on Friday. The CEC cited notification from the Information and Security Service, the National Anti-Corruption Center and the Inspectorate General of Police.
The party was suspected of illegal financing, receiving undeclared funds from abroad, bribing voters and participating in a "disguised electoral bloc" linked to a recognized unconstitutional party. The CEC said it would send its decision to the Justice Ministry for review.
Sama Furtune came under EU sanctions in July for receiving "significant support" from fugitive pro-Russian oligarch Shor, whose Shor party was declared unconstitutional in 2023 and banned. It accused the CEC of acting "contrary to norms" and said it would appeal the decision to suspend its party.
The CEC also suspended the pro-Russian Heart of Moldova party from the election. The decision was based on a ruling by the Chisinau Court of Appeal that restricted the party's activities for 12 months. The country's Justice Ministry requested the restrictions after earlier searches of Heart of Moldova members, which resulted in accusations of vote-buying, illegal party financing and money laundering.
On Sunday, Moldova will hold parliamentary elections, which President Maya Sandu called "the most important in history." If Action and Justice loses the parliamentary majority it has held since 2021, it could open the way for pro-Russian forces to take power, undermining Moldova's European integration process.