TRIBUNA continues its project in which we present political events that took place exactly one year ago. This time, we recall what happened on August 28, 2025.

2,274 Polling Stations

The Central Electoral Commission announced that 2,274 polling stations had been established for the September 28, 2025 parliamentary elections, both in Moldova and abroad. Of these, 1,961 were to be located within the country, 12 were designated for localities on the left bank of the Dniester, and 301 were abroad. In the Chișinău electoral district, including the suburbs, 313 polling stations were to be opened.

Assessment of Polling Station Accessibility

Only 112 of the 1,974 polling stations assessed in Moldova were considered accessible. The national assessment was conducted in 2025 by the INFONET Alliance at the request of the CEC, with support from UNDP Moldova, Norway, Sweden, Canada, and Denmark. Another 567 stations (28.72%) were partially accessible, while 1,295 (65.6%) remained inaccessible.

PSDE Announcement

The European Social Democratic Party (PSDE) announced that it had received a message of support for the parliamentary elections from the Socialist International. The message was signed by its president, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón.

Maia Sandu’s Meetings

President Maia Sandu met with Tinatin Bokuchava, chairwoman of Georgia’s United National Movement and one of the few opposition leaders still at liberty, as well as Giorgi Baramidze, a former deputy prime minister and minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Sandu also attended the Moldova Youth Forum 2025, which brought together more than 400 young people from across the country.

Igor Dodon’s Activities

On the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon, together with colleagues from the Patriotic Electoral Bloc of Socialists, Communists, Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova, attended a service at Chișinău’s Metropolitan Cathedral “Nativity of the Lord.” Later, Dodon attended patron-saint celebrations in several localities: Cuconeștii Noi, Constantinovca, Corestăuți, and Tîrnova. He also participated in celebrations marking the 526th anniversary of the first documentary mention of Soroca.

Igor Grosu in Ungheni

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu attended the patron-saint celebration of Ungheni, congratulating residents and wishing them continued development as a modern, European city. He also visited Negureni Vechi commune, where he met local authorities and residents of Țighira, Coșeni, and Zăzulenii Vechi.

Irina Vlah’s Appeal

Irina Vlah, leader of the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova,” addressed Moldovan citizens living abroad, urging them to carefully inform themselves before deciding whom to vote for in the parliamentary elections.

Agreement between Moldovagaz and Energocom

Moldovagaz and Energocom signed an agreement on billing and servicing final consumers for seven months, with the possibility of extending it according to legislation. The agreement followed Energocom’s appointment as the public natural-gas supplier, including the supplier of last resort.

Appeal by the Ombudspersons

Ombudsperson Ceslav Panico and Children’s Ombudsperson Vasile Coroi issued an appeal ahead of the parliamentary elections, emphasizing that free and fair elections conducted with full respect for human rights are the cornerstone of a democratic society and the rule of law.

Suspension Decisions

With the electoral campaign beginning on August 29, deputy prime ministers and ministers running in the elections were required under the Electoral Code to suspend their government duties. The Official Gazette published Prime Minister Dorin Recean’s decisions suspending seven members of the government. Their responsibilities were to be assumed by state secretaries of the respective ministries during the campaign.

eConsulat Platform Launched

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the launch of eConsulat, a modern digital platform designed for Moldovan citizens living abroad, providing faster and more efficient access to consular services.

Code of Conduct Signed

At the invitation of the CEC, electoral contestants and media representatives signed a Code of Conduct for conducting and covering the September 28 parliamentary election campaign. The signatories committed themselves to fairness, equal competition, mutual respect, and objective and balanced information for voters.

PDMM Request

The Modern Democratic Party of Moldova (PDMM) submitted a request to the CEC seeking the recusal of rapporteur Dana Munteanu and three potential replacements, accusing them all of lacking impartiality. The party also accused the electoral authority of unjustifiably exceeding the statutory seven-day deadline for deciding on its registration in the electoral race.

Canada Imposes Sanctions

Canada sanctioned 16 individuals and two entities over their alleged involvement in Russia’s malign interference activities in Moldova. The measures were announced by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. According to Ottawa, those targeted had participated in coordinated efforts to destabilize Moldova’s democratically elected government and were associated with Ilan Șor.

Those sanctioned included Evghenia Guțul, Mihail Vlah, Irina Vlah, Iurii Cuznețov, Ilia Uzun, Victor Petrov, Nelli Parutenco, Natalia Parasca, Dumitru Chitoroagă, Dmitri Buimistru, Alexei Lungu, Veaceslav Valico, Victoria Furtună, Irina Lozovan, Alexandr Nesterovschi, and Chiril Guzun.

Irina Vlah’s Reaction

Irina Vlah reacted to the Canadian sanctions, saying she was “surprised” to see her name on the list.

Ion Ceban’s Appeal

Chișinău Mayor Ion Ceban sent an appeal to President Maia Sandu asking her to intervene and clarify the situation surrounding the ban that, according to him, prevented him from entering Romania and the wider Schengen Area.

PLDM Victory

The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM) won its case against the Central Electoral Commission at the Chișinău Court of Appeal. The CEC had refused to include the party on the list of political formations eligible to participate in the September 28 parliamentary elections. However, the ruling was not yet final.

President’s Message

President Maia Sandu condemned Russia’s attack on Kyiv in a post on X. She described it as “another night of horror” in which Russian missiles killed civilians, including children.

Source: Political Almanac 2025