CHISINAU — Moldova's Party of Action and Solidarity emerged as the largest force in Sunday's parliamentary election, holding off a Russia-aligned opposition bloc, according to preliminary results from the Central Electoral Commission. The vote was widely cast as a referendum on the country's bid to join the European Union.

The election followed months of warnings from Moldovan authorities about Russian interference, vote-buying and disinformation campaigns aimed at derailing the government of President Maia Sandu. Electoral commissioners reported turnout that surpassed the threshold required to validate the ballot, with diaspora voters again playing a decisive role.

The main challenge came from the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc, which drew support in the autonomous region of Gagauzia and among Russian-speaking voters. Prosecutors in Chisinau said in the days before the vote that they had opened investigations into illicit financing linked to the fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, who has denied wrongdoing.

A strong showing for PAS would allow Sandu's allies to press ahead with accession negotiations that Brussels opened after Moldova was granted candidate status. The European Commission has repeatedly cited the election as a test of the country's democratic resilience against external pressure.

"Moldovans have shown they want a European future and will not be intimidated," a PAS spokesperson said in Chisinau as preliminary counts were released.