Moldovans have voted in parliamentary elections seen as critical for their future path to the European Union amid allegations of 'massive Russian interference' before the vote.
The claims, first made by Moldova's authorities, were repeated by pro-EU President Maia Sandu, who told reporters outside a polling station in the capital Chisinau the future of her country, flanked by Ukraine and Romania, was in danger.
Partial results will emerge in the coming hours, with the electoral commission reporting turnout by the end of voting at 21:00 (18:00 GMT) was just under 52%.
Two political forces are currently neck and neck: Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc.
In the largely pro-Western diaspora, more than 267,000 voters turned out, while bomb scares were reported at polling stations across Italy, Romania, Spain, and the US, as well as in Moldova itself.
Moldova also grapples with challenges from the pro-Russian breakaway enclave of Transnistria, which sits along its border with Ukraine and hosts a Russian military presence.
Amidst the backdrop of Russia's war in Ukraine, Moldovans face an election laden with increased tension and allegations of disinformation designed to sway public opinion.
In her second term, President Sandu has cautioned voters about the fragility of their democracy. She emphasizes the importance of their vote, urging against complacency: 'Don't play with your vote or you'll lose everything!'
Should her PAS party lose parliamentary control, coalition-building efforts with other parties, including the Alternativa bloc or the populist Our Party, will be necessary.
As the election unfolds, the prospect of Russian disinformation campaigns adds complexity to the already charged political atmosphere, leading to a critical juncture for Moldova's future.
