The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC), a network of non-governmental organizations with over two decades of experience monitoring electoral processes in the Republic of Moldova, concludes that the parliamentary elections held on September 28, 2025, were “partially free and partially fair.” Based on observations conducted by member organizations, the Coalition highlights an electoral climate marked by deep polarization, foreign interference attempts, and disinformation campaigns—elements consistent with hybrid warfare tactics that undermined the fairness of the process, TRIBUNA reports.

Observers also noted the professionalism of the Central Electoral Commission and the involvement of authorities in combating opaque financing and electoral corruption. Despite external pressures and manipulation attempts, state institutions demonstrated resilience, and the active participation of citizens—both domestically and in the diaspora—helped preserve the integrity of the democratic process.

Legal Framework
The 2025 elections were the first held under the new Electoral Code, which came into force on January 1, 2023. Recent legislative changes introduced stricter penalties for fraud, more effective financial oversight mechanisms, and expanded vote-by-mail options in ten countries. However, the enforcement of these provisions was uneven, and some parties faced administrative hurdles that limited their access to the competition.

Institutional Framework
The Central Electoral Commission, the General Police Inspectorate, and other relevant institutions collaborated more closely than in previous elections, demonstrating professionalism and mobilization. Nevertheless, CALC points to inconsistent communication regarding electoral corruption cases, unequal application of the law, and opaque decisions concerning polling stations in the Transnistrian region—all of which affected public trust.

Electoral Campaign
While the campaign was conducted legally, it was dominated by hate speech, unrealistic promises, and messages that contradicted democratic values. The online environment became the primary battleground, vulnerable to manipulation and fake polling. CALC draws attention to the use of administrative resources in favor of certain candidates and the indirect involvement of religious institutions, contrary to the principle of church-state separation.

Campaign Financing and Electoral Corruption
The elections took place under a stricter legal framework with reinforced transparency rules. The Central Electoral Commission imposed sanctions and excluded entities that failed to comply, and party financial discipline visibly improved. However, electoral corruption evolved into more sophisticated and harder-to-document forms, such as paid mobilization, encrypted apps, opaque financial transfers, and illegal data collection.

Media and Online Environment
The Audiovisual Council expanded its monitoring to include non-linear platforms, sanctioning covert political advertising for the first time. Still, independent monitors reported political bias, unequal coverage, and reduced visibility for certain candidates. The campaign shifted heavily online, where large-scale disinformation operations, attacks on independent media, and exploitation of security fears were prevalent.

Electoral Inclusion
The expansion of polling stations abroad and the introduction of vote-by-mail facilitated access for citizens outside the country. Conversely, the reduction of polling stations for voters in the Transnistrian region, combined with poor communication, was perceived as a disproportionate restriction. For persons with disabilities, additional measures supported participation, though physical access issues were reported at many locations. Gender quota compliance led to an increase in female candidates, but their placement on non-viable lists reduced impact. Approximately 37 women will enter the new Parliament—below the legal threshold of 40% and fewer than in the previous legislature (39 women). Youth voter turnout was significantly higher than in past elections.

Despite visible progress, major challenges remain: opaque campaign financing, misuse of administrative resources, intensified disinformation, and polarized political discourse—all of which undermine equal opportunity and public confidence in the fully free and fair nature of the elections. CALC calls on authorities to continue reforms and consistently enforce the law, while emphasizing the responsibility of political actors and media institutions to foster an electoral climate grounded in legality, fundamental rights, and democratic values.