The leader of Moldova's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) thanked voters on Monday (September 29) after a resounding victory over its Russian-leaning rival in a key parliamentary election.

Igor Grosu said the election battle was won "in the face of seemingly invincible enemies" and showed that "even an aggressor like Russia can be defeated if you fight the strongest thing a country has—with the help of its people."

The party's win is an endorsement of Moldova's bid to join the European Union bloc and break free from Moscow's orbit.

The strong performance on Sunday by President Maia Sandu's PAS party 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.

With nearly all votes counted, PAS had won 50.2% versus 24.2% for the Patriotic Bloc, which had sought to steer Moldova - a small former Soviet republic that lies between Ukraine and EU member Romania - closer to Russia.

The leaders of France, Germany and Poland, in a joint statement, also congratulated Moldova for "the peaceful conduct of the election, despite unprecedented interference by Russia, including with vote-buying schemes and disinformation."

However, Moscow - which denies the accusations of meddling - accused authorities in Moldova of preventing hundreds of thousands of its citizens who live in Russia from voting by providing only two polling stations for the large diaspora.

Asked whether Moscow recognised the results, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that some political forces in Moldova had spoken of violations.

(Production: Anna Voitenko, Andrii Pryimachenko, Dina Selim)

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

'Russia can be defeated' says PAS leader as party wins majority

VIDEO SHOWS: LEADER OF MOLDOVA'S PARTY OF ACTION AND SOLIDARITY, IGOR GROSU, COMMENTING AFTER MAJORITY WIN IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: CHISINAU, MOLDOVA (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. LEADER OF MOLDOVA'S PARTY OF ACTION AND SOLIDARITY, IGOR GROSU, ENTERING ROOM / (SOUNDBITE)(Romanian) SAYING:

"Moldova, I bow to you, you won the battle in the face of seemingly invincible enemies. It was an incredibly difficult battle, and the Russian Federation threw everything it had into it. Tons of money, tons of lies, tons of illegal actions. They used criminals to turn our country, the entire country, into a place of crime. They filled everything with hatred. We came to battle with the most sacred thing we have: people. People with heads held high, dignified hearts, and a great love for their country."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) LEADER OF MOLDOVA'S PARTY OF ACTION AND SOLIDARITY, IGOR GROSU, SAYING:

“We thank you, dear people. Moldova, a country that was tormented for decades, a country unknown, yet it astounded the entire world. And we taught the most important lesson in democracy. That even an aggressor like Russia can be defeated if you fight the strongest thing a country has—with the help of its people. When the state and citizens defend their country, everyone wins. I thank all citizens for defending their country by voting.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) LEADER OF MOLDOVA'S PARTY OF ACTION AND SOLIDARITY, IGOR GROSU, SAYING:

“Dear Moldovans, PAS has a parliamentary majority. It's a pro-European majority only because you placed your trust in us and gave us this chance. A second chance, I would say, because we know and understand that many voted not for the party, but for the country's European future and for protecting the country from the (potential parliamentary) pro-Russian majority.”

6. GROSU POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPH WITH PARTY OFFICIALS

7. GROSU HUGGING PARTY OFFICIALS

STORY: The leader of Moldova's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) thanked voters on Monday (September 29) after a resounding victory over its Russian-leaning rival in a key parliamentary election.

Igor Grosu said the election battle was won "in the face of seemingly invincible enemies" and showed that "even an aggressor like Russia can be defeated if you fight the strongest thing a country has—with the help of its people."

The party's win is an endorsement of Moldova's bid to join the European Union bloc and break free from Moscow's orbit.

The strong performance on Sunday by President Maia Sandu's PAS party 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.

With nearly all votes counted, PAS had won 50.2% versus 24.2% for the Patriotic Bloc, which had sought to steer Moldova - a small former Soviet republic that lies between Ukraine and EU member Romania - closer to Russia.

The leaders of France, Germany and Poland, in a joint statement, also congratulated Moldova for "the peaceful conduct of the election, despite unprecedented interference by Russia, including with vote-buying schemes and disinformation."

However, Moscow - which denies the accusations of meddling - accused authorities in Moldova of preventing hundreds of thousands of its citizens who live in Russia from voting by providing only two polling stations for the large diaspora.

Asked whether Moscow recognised the results, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that some political forces in Moldova had spoken of violations.

(Production: Anna Voitenko, Andrii Pryimachenko, Dina Selim)