TRIBUNA continues its project presenting the political events that took place exactly one year ago. This time, we invite you to recall what happened on September 26, 2025.

The final day of the election campaign

September 26 was the final day on which election campaigning was permitted ahead of the September 28, 2025 parliamentary elections. The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) warned that, under the Electoral Code, campaigning was strictly prohibited on election day and the day before it. During this period, candidates were also prohibited from appearing on television and radio programmes.

Appeal to Chisinau residents

Ion Ceban, one of the leaders of the “Alternative” Electoral Bloc, issued a message to residents of the capital, urging them to say “NO to lies” and vote for the bloc in the September 28 parliamentary elections.

Statement by Vlad Plahotniuc’s lawyer

Judges informed Vlad Plahotniuc of the arrest warrants issued against him following the extradition of the former Democratic Party leader to Chisinau. His lawyer, Lucian Rogac, said he had requested time to examine the charges, after which further statements would be made public.

Dmitri Torner’s appeal

Dmitri Torner, leader of the “NOI – New Historical Option” Political Party, issued an appeal to voters as the parliamentary election campaign came to an end. He said that, unlike most electoral contestants, who had chosen confrontation, NOI had opted to present its electoral platform in detail.

Searches in electoral corruption cases

The National Anticorruption Center and the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office carried out investigative measures in several localities in Criuleni district as part of a case concerning the alleged bribery of voters by a political formation that had been declared unconstitutional. At the same time, under the coordination of the Balti Prosecutor’s Office, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Balti Police Inspectorate investigated a case involving suspected electoral corruption during the parliamentary elections.

The “Alternative” Bloc’s appeal

On the final day of the campaign, teams from the “Alternative” Bloc conducted a final nationwide information campaign. Ion Ceban, one of the bloc’s leaders, also held an online discussion with citizens living in Barcelona. Bloc candidate Igor Cereteu presented the “Alternative” programme. At the end of the day, the bloc’s four leaders urged voters to turn out and vote for “Alternative.”

Ion Ceban’s post

Ion Ceban, one of the leaders of the “Alternative” Electoral Bloc, said in a video post that his personal social media profiles had been the target of massive attacks in recent days.

“Heart of Moldova” excluded from the election

Following a ruling by the Chisinau Court of Appeal on September 25, 2025, the activities of the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova,” part of the Patriotic Electoral Bloc of Socialists, Communists, Heart of Moldova and Future of Moldova, were restricted.

As a result, the Central Electoral Commission decided to remove from the bloc’s registered candidate list all candidates nominated by the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova.” The CEC gave the bloc 24 hours to adjust its candidate list in accordance with electoral legislation, including gender-quota requirements.

“Heart of Moldova” condemned what it called an abusive decision to exclude the party from the electoral race, saying it was “the final act of a political show planned long ago” aimed at silencing the party’s representatives.

AUR clarifications

The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) issued a statement after members of AUR Romania announced at a press conference the “withdrawal of AUR from the electoral race” in Moldova’s parliamentary elections.

AUR Moldova clarified that it remained in the race and was not a branch of AUR Romania. At the same time, AUR leader Boris Volosatîi delivered a campaign-closing message to party members and supporters, stating that union with Romania was the only concrete solution for Moldova’s social, economic and political recovery.

Trade unions’ appeal

The National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova appealed to citizens to participate actively in the parliamentary elections and vote “for a fairer, more equitable and more solidaristic Moldova.”

Project for doctors

The “Moldovans” Alliance presented at a briefing a draft law on the protection of doctors and mandatory malpractice insurance.

Maia Sandu’s appeal

President Maia Sandu addressed citizens ahead of the September 28 parliamentary elections, calling for the mobilization of all citizens to protect the country’s future. On the same day, the head of state met with a group of Members of the European Parliament, drawing their attention to persistent foreign influence activities that threatened the democratic process.

CUB reaction

The Coalition for Unity and Welfare (CUB) strongly condemned what it described as defamatory attacks published in media outlets affiliated with the government on the final day of the election campaign against several CUB candidates.

According to the party, the article circulated online contained no evidence and did not seek the party’s official position, which it said flagrantly violated basic journalistic ethics.

“Greater Moldova” excluded from the election

The Central Electoral Commission cancelled the registration of the “Greater Moldova” Political Party and its candidates for seats in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in the September 28, 2025 parliamentary elections.

The CEC’s decision followed the examination of complaints submitted by the European Social Democratic Party, the Orhei Police Inspectorate, the National Inspectorate of Investigations, the Police Directorate of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, the Balti Police Inspectorate, the National Anticorruption Center, as well as information provided by Moldova’s Intelligence and Security Service.

The cited grounds included the use of financial and material resources not declared in the electoral contestant’s financial management reports, the use of funds from abroad, and providing voters with money, goods, services or other benefits in order to influence the exercise of their electoral rights.

The party leadership announced that it would challenge the decision, while the European Social Democratic Party welcomed the CEC’s decision following its complaint.

Government members’ messages

On the eve of the parliamentary elections, citizens of the Republic of Moldova at home and abroad were urged to participate in the September 28 vote and vote for Moldova’s future. A joint appeal was issued by members of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Each official addressed the communities and professionals associated with their respective fields, from healthcare and business to culture, justice, energy, defense and other sectors.

Parliamentary album

An album covering the 11th parliamentary legislature was launched, with an electronic version available on the Parliament’s official website. The publication provided an overview of the legislature’s main achievements, reforms and defining moments between 2021 and 2025.

The more than 200-page album contained relevant information and photographs from parliamentary activities and the legislative process.

Patriotic Electoral Bloc protest

The Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP) held a protest outside the headquarters of the Central Electoral Commission, expressing its dissatisfaction with the decision to exclude the Republican Party “Heart of Moldova” from the electoral race.

Andrei Năstase’s announcement

Andrei Năstase, an independent candidate for Parliament, announced what he described as good news for Moldovan citizens in the United Kingdom: expanded recognition of Moldovan driving licences was expected to be placed on the agenda of the British Government and Parliament. British MP Karl Turner confirmed this in a letter.

ANI finding

The National Integrity Authority (ANI) issued a finding concerning former Moldovan MP Vladimir Andronachi, establishing several serious violations of legislation governing the declaration of assets and personal interests.

Vlad Batrîncea’s complaint

Vlad Batrîncea, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, senior PSRM figure and candidate for the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, announced that he had petitioned the Constitutional Court to challenge what he described as an abusive provision in Article 21(8) of the Law on Political Parties, which allowed restrictions to be imposed on parties’ activities during an election campaign.

Statements by the blocs

The Patriotic Electoral Bloc issued a statement saying that the CEC’s decision to relocate polling stations intended for Moldovan citizens living in Transnistria represented “a political diversion against its own people.”

The “Alternative” Bloc issued a similar statement, claiming that after reducing the number of polling stations for voters on the left bank of the Dniester and citing bridge works that allegedly restricted access, authorities had decided just days before the election to move polling stations farther away, citing what the bloc called false pretexts involving “bomb threats” and “provocations.”

Campaign-ending messages

The European Social Democratic Party, “Our Party,” the Moldovan National Party, the “NOI – New Historical Option” Party and other electoral contestants summed up their campaigns and urged citizens to vote, explaining why they believed voters should support them.

Hearing in the Vladimir Plahotniuc case

Former Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc was expected at the Ciocana Court, where arrest warrants against him were due to be examined, but he was absent, citing health reasons.

The hearing began one hour late after a false bomb alert led to the evacuation of the building.

Promo-LEX report

The Promo-LEX Association presented Report No. 4 of its election observation mission for the September 28 parliamentary elections, covering the period from September 11 to September 24, 2025.

The report contained observations and findings concerning the final stage of the election campaign, the conduct of electoral contestants and the transparency of campaign financing.

Source: Political Almanac 2025