section_path: Background
section_name: Background
paragraph_text: Background
  
  The last parliamentary election in Moldova was held on 11 July 2021, resulting in a landslide victory for the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu. PAS secured 63 out of 101 seats, allowing it to form a single-party majority government. The election marked a significant shift towards European integration, as PAS defeated the Bloc of Communists and Socialists, a pro-Russian electoral alliance.
  
  Since coming to power, the PAS -led government has pursued anti-corruption measures, judicial reforms, and European Union integration. Pro-Russian opposition forces have organized protests against the government’s economic policies.
  
  In the 2024 presidential election, incumbent Maia Sandu was re-elected with 55.3% of the vote, defeating pro-Russian candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo. The election was overshadowed by allegations of Russian interference, with authorities seizing illegal propaganda materials. Alongside the election, Moldova held a referendum on EU integration, which narrowly passed with 50.4% support.
  
  Moldova is grappling with major security and economic challenges, notably including energy security issues due to disrupted gas supplies from Russia. The 2022 Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine has triggering a massive influx of refugees into Moldova. These difficulties have amplified the significance of the 2025 parliamentary elections; for President Sandu, according to Euronews, the election would be "a final battle" on Moldova's road to EU membership.