On September 24, 2025, Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned Moldova's ambassador to express strong disapproval over the nation's decision not to accredit Russian representatives as observers for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025. The Russian ministry stated that this action casts a shadow over the perceived legitimacy and transparency of the electoral process.
In response, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry acknowledged the ambassador's summons, reaffirming that all electoral measures are meticulously designed to uphold the integrity and transparency of the polls, in strict adherence to both national legislation and international commitments. Russia subsequently announced its appeal to the 57-nation Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to scrutinize Moldova's decisions regarding election observers.
The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has a history of observing elections in Moldova, deploying missions for previous parliamentary and presidential elections. For the current parliamentary elections, the ODIHR has a core team of 15 experts in Chișinău, augmented by 30 long-term observers stationed across the country from August 22, 2025. Approximately 200 short-term observers are slated for deployment to monitor election day activities, assessing whether the elections align with OSCE commitments, international standards for democratic elections, and Moldovan national legislation.
The upcoming parliamentary elections are considered pivotal for Moldova's geopolitical direction. The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) advocates for European Union integration, while opposition blocs, such as the Bloc of Communists and Socialists, lean towards closer ties with Russia. This dispute over observer accreditation highlights the underlying geopolitical currents influencing Moldova's future trajectory and its aspirations for closer integration with the European Union.
Russia characterized the refusal to accredit its observers as an "unfounded refusal" and a violation of international obligations, including the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document and the 2002 CIS Convention on Standards for Democratic Elections, Electoral Rights and Freedoms. Moldova maintains that its decisions align with national legislation and international commitments to ensure a free, fair, and transparent process.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also has a delegation observing the elections, working in conjunction with the ODIHR. Leaders of the OSCE PA's election observation mission arrived in Chișinău on September 24, 2025, emphasizing the importance of transparency and international standards in elections. Their assessment is expected to help solidify Moldova's democratic path, with a preliminary statement slated for September 29, 2025.
The Eastern Partnership Index 2025 indicates that Moldova ranks highly in the region for public administration reform, suggesting progress despite challenges. However, the report also notes a decline in democratic rights and pluralism, partly attributed to external interference and vote-buying in past elections. This situation reflects a broader pattern of geopolitical maneuvering in Eastern Europe, where electoral processes often become arenas for asserting influence.