2021 Moldovan parliamentary election

Snap parliamentary elections were held in Moldova on 11 July 2021. Following the resignation of Ion Chicu, the position of Prime Minister became vacant, with the Parliament being obligated to form a new government within three months. After the expiration of the constitutionally mandated period and two failed attempts to win parliamentary approval for the proposed cabinets, the Constitutional Court ruled on 15 April that the circumstances justifying a dissolution of the parliament were met. President Maia Sandu signed the decree dissolving the Parliament on 28 April and snap parliamentary elections were called on.

2021 Moldovan parliamentary election
Moldova
← 2019 11 July 2021 Next →

All 101 seats in Parliament
51 seats needed for a majority
Turnout48.41% (Decrease 0.83pp)[1]
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
PAS Igor Grosu 52.80 63 +48
BECS Vladimir Voronin 27.17 32 −3
ȘOR Ilan Shor 5.74 6 −1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Winning party by territorial election commission
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Aureliu Ciocoi (acting)
Independent
Natalia Gavrilița
PAS

The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) received 52.80% of the vote and won 63 seats, obtaining a majority in the 101-seat parliament. The alliance Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BECS) received 27.17% of the vote and won 32 seats, while the Șor Party received 5.74% of the votes and won six seats. No other party or alliance reached the electoral threshold required to win a seat.[1]

The Constitutional Court of Moldova recognized the election results on 23 July.[2]

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) assessed the elections as being competitive and well-run despite the inadequate handling of election disputes and campaign finance issues.[3] The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) noted that the procedure was held in line with the requirements of the Electoral Code. The CIS observers did not report any violations that could influence the results of the elections.[4]

Background

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The Constitution of Moldova mandates that a government must be formed within three months of official results of parliamentary elections being proclaimed by the Constitutional Court. The results of the 24 February 2019 elections were confirmed on 9 March. On 8 June a coalition government led by Maia Sandu was formed by the Party of Socialists (PSRM) and the ACUM alliance. However, the Democratic Party (PDM) petitioned the Constitutional Court, claiming that the government had not been formed in time. The Court interpreted the three-month deadline as 90 days, which meant the deadline had been 7 June, and concluded that snap elections should be held. The following day the Court suspended President Igor Dodon (a former PSRM leader) from exercising his presidential powers and duties for failing to dissolve parliament, and appointed former prime minister Pavel Filip of the PDM as acting president. Filip subsequently issued a decree calling for early elections for 6 September.[5]

Dodon and the PSRM–ACUM coalition called the process illegal. The governments of Russia, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom all recognised the newly-formed Sandu cabinet as the legitimate government. On 14 June Filip stepped down and allowed the PSRM–ACUM government to take office. However, the new government was subsequently ousted in a motion of no confidence in Parliament on 12 November in a dispute over a draft law assumed by the government to delegate a part of its plenary powers to the Prime Minister to propose a "shortlist" with the candidates for Prosecutor General's position.[6][7]

Another new PSRM–PDM government, headed by Ion Chicu, was formed on 14 November 2019.[8] The Democratic Party left the coalition on 7 November 2020, during presidential elections, to allow the formation of a new government under the new president.[9] The Chicu cabinet remained in office as a minority government, supported by the Șor Party, with the PDM ministers replaced by independents. Former prime minister and PAS (ACUM) leader Maia Sandu was elected president on 15 November 2020. Chicu resigned as Prime Minister on 23 December, hours ahead of a PAS-sponsored motion of no confidence.[10]

Sandu planned to appoint Natalia Gavrilița to the position of Prime Minister twice in order to trigger early elections, as under the constitution of Moldova, two failures of Parliament to approve a new government within 45 days of the first request will lead to the dissolution of parliament.[11] Sandu first nominated Gavrilita to the position on 27 January 2021,[11] with her candidacy being unanimously voted down by the parliament on 11 February.[12] The PSRM and its allies then proposed Mariana Durleșteanu for the position with the support of 54 of 101 MPs, but Sandu instead re-nominated Gavrilița on 11 February 2021.[13] However, the Constitutional Court ruled on 23 February 2021 that Sandu should not have nominated Gavrilita twice.[13] Sandu nominated Igor Grosu to the position on 16 March after Durleșteanu withdrew her candidacy.[14][15]

Grosu failed to get his government approved due to the socialist-led opposition boycotting the vote, which resulted in the vote failing due to a lack of a quorum.[16] The two failed attempts made early parliamentary elections possible,[17] and Sandu asked the Constitutional Court to verify the constitutionality of dissolving parliament and holding snap elections.[18] However, on 31 March Parliament voted to impose a 60-day state of emergency, during which a snap election could not be held, to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] On 15 April the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of dissolving parliament.[19] On 28 April the Constitutional Court declared the state of emergency voted by the Parliament on 31 March unconstitutional as the Decision of Parliament which instituted it was adopted in violation of the rules of procedure, having failed to establish why exactly the executive need extended powers.[20] Later the same day, president Maia Sandu signed the dissolution decree of the Parliament and established the snap parliamentary elections to be held on 11 July 2021.[21]

Electoral system

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The 101 seats in the Parliament are elected by party-list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency. An electoral list may contain 51 to 103 candidates. The nationwide electoral threshold varies depending on the type of list; for single parties or organisations it is 5%; for an electoral bloc of two or more parties it is 7%. For independent candidates the threshold is 2%.[22]

Parties and coalitions

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This is a list of the parties that were represented in the parliament before the elections and the parties that submitted their list for participating in it.[23]

Party Main ideology Leader Seats prior
to elections
Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BECS) Socialism Vladimir Voronin & Igor Dodon
37
Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) Liberalism Igor Grosu
15
Dignity and Truth Platform Party (PPDA) Liberalism Andrei Năstase
11
Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) Social democracy Pavel Filip
10
Șor Party National conservatism Ilan Shor
7
Pro Moldova Liberal conservatism Andrian Candu
7
National Unity Party (PUN) Unionism Octavian Țîcu
0
Electoral Bloc "Renato Usatîi" (BERU) Russophilia Renato Usatîi No seats
Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) Unionism Vlad Bilețchi
Democracy at Home Party (PPDA) Unionism Vasile Costiuc
Ecologist Green Party (PEV) Green politics Vladimir Braga
Party of Law and Justice (PLD) Christian democracy Nicolae Alexei
New Historical Option (NOI) Social democracy Svetlana Chesari
We Build Europe at Home Party (PACE) Liberalism Gheorghe Cavcaliuc
Party of Development and Consolidation of Moldova (PDCM) Pro-Europeanism Ion Chicu
Party of Regions of Moldova (PRM) Russophilia Alexandr Kalinin
Collective Action Party – Civic Congress (PAC-CC) Democratic socialism Iurie Muntean
Working People's Party (POM) Social democracy Serghei Toma
People's Power Party (PPO) Ruslan Codreanu
MPS Ilie Donica
New Party (PNOI) Vladimir Dachi
Patriots of Moldova (PPM) Mihail Garbuz
Party of Change (PS) Ștefan Gligor
Veaceslav Valico** Veaceslav Valico

* = Note: Pro Moldova did not participate in the 2021 parliamentary election
** = Independent politician

Opinion polls

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  PSRM
  BECS
  ACUM
  PAS
  PPPDA
  PDM
  ȘOR
  PCRM
  PN

Results

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OSCE Special Co-ordinator Ditmir Bushati observing election procedures in Chișinău
 
Closing of polling station in Chișinău

The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) received 52.80% of the vote and won an absolute majority in parliament, taking 63 of the 101 seats, an increase of 48. President of Moldova Maia Sandu stated after the election: "I hope that today is the end of a hard era for Moldova, I hope today is the end of the reign of thieves over Moldova."[24]

The Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists (BECS) won 32 seats, a loss of three compared to the previous elections. President of the Party of Socialists (PSRM) Igor Dodon stated after the election: "I appeal to the future deputies of the new parliament, we must not allow a new political crisis in Moldova. It would be nice to have a period of political stability."[25]

The Șor Party (ȘP) became the third and smallest one with parliamentary representation, obtaining six seats with 5.74% of the vote and thereby conserving its parliamentary status from the previous legislature.[24]

On 23 July, the Constitutional Court of Moldova confirmed the results of the election.[2]

 
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Party of Action and Solidarity774,75352.8063+48
Bloc of Communists and Socialists398,67527.1732−3
Șor Party84,1875.746−1
Electoral Bloc "Renato Usatîi"60,1004.1000
Dignity and Truth Platform34,1842.330−11
Democratic Party of Moldova26,5451.810−30
Democracy at Home Party21,2551.4500
We Build Europe at Home Party18,7811.280New
Common Action Political Party — Civil Congress11,2690.770New
Alliance for the Union of Romanians7,2160.490New
National Unity Party6,6460.450New
Party of Development and Consolidation6,3150.430New
Hope Professionals' Movement Party2,8140.1900
Party of Change [ro]2,4520.170New
People's Power Party1,6130.110New
Working People's Party1,4670.100New
Party of Law and Justice1,4440.100New
New Historical Option1,4310.100New
Party of Regions of Moldova1,2640.0900
Ecologist Green Party1,2020.0800
Patriots of Moldova8920.060New
New Party1970.010New
Independents2,5140.170−3
Total1,467,216100.001010
Valid votes1,467,21699.07
Invalid/blank votes13,7490.93
Total votes1,480,965100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,052,60348.51
Source: CEC, PACE

Voter turnout

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Election year Time
9:30 12:30 15:30 18:30 21:00
2019 5.90% 24.00% 37.40% 45.70% 49.10%
2020 5.50% 19.60% 33.00% 42.50% 45.60%
2021 8.80% 23.70% 33.20% 41.90% 48.30%
Source: alegeri.md

Results by administrative-territorial unit

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No. Administrative-territorial unit % PAS BECS ȘOR BERU PPDA PDM AUR
1 Chișinău 47.68 56.77 28.40 3.63 2.36 2.16 0.72 0.67
2 Bălți 42.82 27.34 40.17 3.89 22.69 0.99 0.65 0.30
3 Anenii Noi 42.68 50.17 29.51 5.67 2.59 3.03 3.30 0.54
4 Basarabeasca 37.34 40.76 35.31 7.57 4.73 2.02 2.39 0.44
5 Briceni 41.29 25.49 50.77 8.82 5.95 1.52 1.78 0.21
6 Cahul 39.71 53.55 29.63 4.15 2.65 1.49 0.86 0.68
7 Cantemir 37.65 55.82 22.11 5.01 3.90 3.02 2.82 0.70
8 Călărași 42.45 60.76 19.10 4.89 1.47 3.51 4.62 0.36
9 Căușeni 42.30 52.99 26.52 5.18 1.74 3.31 3.17 0.36
10 Cimișlia 39.24 56.19 24.59 4.22 1.70 2.58 4.69 0.34
11 Criuleni 48.74 65.87 15.64 6.45 1.51 3.09 1.68 0.57
12 Dondușeni 48.19 25.90 50.70 7.59 6.95 1.79 1.33 0.46
13 Drochia 42.19 39.02 34.88 7.52 9.93 1.94 0.85 0.35
14 Dubăsari 43.85 45.16 33.08 7.42 2.32 2.31 3.42 0.44
15 Edineț 44.12 29.20 47.11 7.94 5.20 2.40 2.68 0.29
16 Fălești 43.66 36.53 31.77 6.41 15.15 1.27 4.13 0.28
17 Florești 43.47 41.07 35.09 8.72 5.94 2.26 1.02 0.30
18 Glodeni 42.56 33.08 34.02 7.85 10.39 1.79 8.09 0.37
19 Hîncești 39.94 63.87 16.90 3.09 1.93 3.43 3.62 0.55
20 Ialoveni 47.58 71.80 10.05 2.58 2.57 5.03 2.23 0.44
21 Leova 41.03 54.26 24.76 5.06 4.39 2.58 2.38 0.43
22 Nisporeni 40.58 65.95 14.49 3.22 2.26 3.64 3.02 0.59
23 Ocnița 48.80 19.17 59.55 8.22 3.83 1.10 1.27 0.34
24 Orhei 46.66 46.70 8.97 36.98 1.06 1.50 0.85 0.38
25 Rezina 47.56 48.66 26.27 11.23 2.55 4.45 1.23 0.29
26 Rîșcani 46.26 32.01 41.67 5.28 8.86 2.11 5.15 0.41
27 Sîngerei 41.37 46.15 28.89 7.98 8.60 2.20 1.07 0.31
28 Soroca 45.11 40.03 38.65 6.05 3.51 2.37 2.96 0.63
29 Strășeni 44.10 67.55 15.48 3.03 1.90 2.80 2.51 0.60
30 Șoldănești 45.72 40.64 28.79 10.43 3.21 2.83 7.48 0.36
31 Ștefan Vodă 41.63 54.11 25.09 3.89 2.32 4.75 2.98 0.57
32 Taraclia 42.30 6.52 58.05 28.24 1.24 0.24 0.72 0.31
33 Telenești 44.37 59.59 13.01 9.34 1.22 8.29 3.01 0.37
34 Ungheni 43.61 50.80 28.29 4.53 3.42 2.87 3.29 0.40
35 U.T.A. Găgăuzia 36.87 4.14 80.75 4.86 3.15 0.15 0.55 0.03
36 Transnistria 13.59 62.21 6.25 1.82 1.20 2.75 0.38
37 Diplomatic missions (Moldovan diaspora) 86.23 2.47 0.59 2.78 1.75 0.34 0.62
Total 48.41 52.80 27.17 5.74 4.10 2.33 1.81 0.49
Source: CEC

Reactions

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  •   Moldova: President Maia Sandu said this was "the end of the reign of thieves in Moldova. The challenges are great, people need results and must feel the benefits of a clean parliament and an honest and competent government." She called for "the energy of today's vote to transform Moldova."[26]
  •   Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova: PSRM president Igor Dodon conceded and expressed disappointment at the result, saying in a statement: "We obviously wanted a higher overall percentage." He congratulated his opponents but warned that his forces would be watching closely because it was dangerous for one party to have "the total monopoly on Moldovan politics."[27]

International reactions

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  •   Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe: OSCE issued a statement that "Moldova's early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run despite the inadequate handling of election disputes and campaign finance issues, say international observers on a joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and the European Parliament (EP)."[3]
  •   Commonwealth of Independent States: Dmitry Kobitsky, head of the CIS IPA monitoring mission, said: "Members of the mission attended the vote counting and noted that this procedure was held in line with the requirements of the Electoral Code. The CIS observers did not report any violations that could influence the results of the elections".[28]
  •   Renew Europe: Renew Europe issued the statement: "Victory for democracy in Moldova! Congratulations to Moldova! This is a victory for democracy, a victory for Europe, a victory for an extraordinary woman and a victory for the Moldovan citizens who are eager for their country to finally take the path of economic, social and political reforms."[29]
  •   Germany: Federal Minister of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said: "Congratulations, Maia Sandu, on the great election victory of PAS with 52,5%! This is very strong support for you and the course for reforms and the fight against corruption in the Republic of Moldova. Great news!"[30]
  •   Latvia: Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs said: "Very convincing victory of reform and European agenda in Moldova elections. Now the real implementation of promised changes is key, Latvia is ready to provide all the necessary support to our Moldovan friends. Congratulations, Moldova!"[31]
  •   Lithuania: Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said: "Congratulations Maia Sandu on a landslide victory of PAS in early parliamentary elections and the people of Moldova – on choosing the path of reforms, transparency & European integration. You can count on Lithuania's support!"[32]
  •   Romania: President Klaus Iohannis said: "Congratulations to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova for their civic spirit and clear choice for reforms, the rule of law and European integration! Congratulations Maia Sandu for courage, perseverance and vision! Romania will be with the Republic of Moldova in supporting the reforms and the European course!"[33]
  •   Slovakia: Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Korčok said: "I congratulate the people of Moldova on succesfull [sic] conduct of democratic parliamentary elections & the strong confirmation of their will to proceed on European path."[34]
  •   Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky said: "Congratulations to my colleague President of Moldova Maia Sandu on a convincing victory of democratic pro-European political forces, in particular the PAS party, in the parliamentary elections! This is an important step for a friendly on the path of reforms & European aspirations!"[35]

Analysis and aftermath

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PAS was the first party to win an absolute majority of seats on its own since April 2009, and the first to win an absolute majority of votes since 2001. It was also the first time that neither PSRM nor PCRM won the most votes or seats since 1994. Former PAS coalition partner DA also lost all of its seats, as did the Democratic Party of Moldova (formerly connected to oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, who fled the country in 2019), which was no longer represented in parliament for the first time in over a decade. Additionally, no party with a unionist platform entered the parliament.[36][37][38]

On 23 July court chairwoman Domnica Manole said in a statement "The Moldovan Constitutional Court rules to confirm the results of the snap parliamentary elections that Moldova held on 11 July 2021, and to recognize the mandates of the parliament members as valid."[2]

The first session of the new parliament was held on 26 July and was chaired by the oldest deputy, Eduard Smirnov.[39]

On 29 July Igor Grosu (the interim leader of PAS) was elected president of the parliament. Natalia Gavrilița was appointed as Prime Minister-designate the following day.[40][41]

On 6 August 2021 the Natalia Gavrilița-led cabinet was sworn in to office with 61 votes, all from PAS.[42]

References

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  1. ^ a b Central Election Commission of Moldova (12 July 2021). "Prezenta la vot" [Parliamentary Elections in the Republic of Moldova: Preliminary Results]. pv.cec.md (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Moldovan Constitutional Court Recognizes Results Of Snap Parliamentary Vote". UrduPoint. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Moldova's early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run despite the inadequate handling of election disputes and campaign finance issues, international observers say". Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  4. ^ "CIS observers affirm no violations at Moldova parliamentary elections". TASS. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  5. ^ Snap elections called as Moldova crisis escalates BBC News, 9 June 2019
  6. ^ "R. Moldova: Guvernul Maiei Sandu a fost demis prin moțiune de cenzură", Europa Liberă România, retrieved 18 November 2019
  7. ^ "Guvernul condus de Maia Sandu a fost demis. Dodon se apucă să-și facă propriul cabinet", DW.COM, retrieved 18 November 2019
  8. ^ "Moldovan parliament approves Ion Chicu as new prime minister". Reuters. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Pavel Filip, despre revocarea miniștrilor PDM: Este nevoie de o resetare a guvernării", ipn.md, 11 November 2020, retrieved 27 December 2020
  10. ^ "Moldova Lurches Toward Snap Elections After PM, Cabinet Resign". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 23 March 2020.
  11. ^ a b Necșuțu, Mădălin (8 February 2021). "In Moldova, New President Wrestles with Hostile Parliament". Balkan Insight.
  12. ^ "Guvernul Gavrilița a picat în Parlament". Deschide (in Romanian). 11 February 2021..
  13. ^ a b Necșuțu, Mădălin (23 February 2021). "Moldovan President's Appointment of PM Declared Unconstitutional". Balkan Insight.
  14. ^ "Moldova's president says nominating new prime minister". Reuters. 16 March 2021.
  15. ^ Ernst, Iulian (17 March 2021). "President appoints new PM-designate as Moldova faces third coronavirus wave". bne IntelliNews.
  16. ^ "Grosu Fails To Be Approved As Moldovan Prime Minister Over Absence Of Quorum - Speaker". UrduPoint. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Moldova Parliament Rejects Proposed PM, Bringing Elections Nearer". Balkan Insight. balkaninsight. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Moldova Introduces Two-Month State Of Emergency To Contain Pandemic". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 31 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Moldova's Top Court Rules Pro-Western President Can Dissolve Parliament". rferl.org. Radio Free Europe. 15 April 2021.
  20. ^ "Hotărârea adoptată de Parlament referitoare la declararea stării de urgență – neconstituțională". constcourt.md (in Romanian). 28 April 2021. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Moldova's tough president gets the election she wanted". Emerging Europe. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  22. ^ "CODUL ELECTORAL" (in Romanian). Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  23. ^ "Alegerile parlamentare din 2021 în Republica Moldova". alegeri.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  24. ^ a b Rosca, Matei (12 July 2021). "Moldova on pro-EU course after elections". Politico.
  25. ^ Tanas, Alexander (12 July 2021). "Pro-Western party wins Moldova election, preliminary data shows". Reuters.
  26. ^ "Early returns in Moldova point to win by pro-EU reformers". AP NEWS. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Moldova pro-Europeans win resounding election victory". www.euractiv.com. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  28. ^ "CIS observers affirm no violations at Moldova parliamentary elections". TAS. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Victory for democracy in Moldova, congratulations to all Moldovans". Renew Europe. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  30. ^ A. Kramp-Karrenbauer [@akk] (12 July 2021). "Congratulations, @sandumaiamd , on the great election victory of PAS with 52,5%! This is very strong support for you and the course for reforms and the fight against corruption in the Republic of Moldova. Great news! https://t.co/P4QgZ6Qj9D" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ Edgars Rinkēvičs [@edgarsrinkevics] (12 July 2021). "Very convincing victory of reform and European agenda in #Moldova elections. Now the real implementation of promised changes is key, #Latvia is ready to provide all the necessary support to our Moldovan friends. Congratulations, Moldova! @MoldovaMFA" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Ingrida Šimonytė [@IngridaSimonyte] (12 July 2021). "Congratulations @sandumaiamd on a landslide victory of PAS in early parliamentary elections and to the people of Moldova – on choosing the path of reforms, transparency & European integration. You can count on Lithuania's support!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ Klaus Iohannis [@KlausIohannis] (12 July 2021). "Felicitări cetățenilor R. Moldova pentru spiritul civic și opțiunea clară pentru reforme, stat de drept și integrare europeană! Felicitări @sandumaiamd pentru curaj, perseverență și viziune! România va fi alături de R. Moldova în susținerea reformelor și parcursului european!" (Tweet) (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Ivan Korcok [@IvanKorcok] (12 July 2021). "I congratulate the people of #Moldova 🇲🇩 on succesfull [sic] conduct of democratic parliamentary elections & the strong confirmation of their will to proceed on European path" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ Володимир Зеленський [@ZelenskyyUa] (12 July 2021). "Congratulations to my colleague President of🇲🇩 @SanduMaiaMD on a convincing victory of democratic pro-European political forces, in particular the PAS party, in the parliamentary elections! This is an important step for a friendly 🇲🇩 on the path of reforms & European aspirations! https://t.co/y2yAjlsVIy" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ "Ion Cristoiu: Alegerile din Republica Moldova au îndeplinit ceea ce şi-a dorit Rusia: înmormîntarea ideii de Unire cu România". Mediafax.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Partidele unioniste din R. Moldova, la pământ. AUR şi PUN au obţinut un rezultat dezastruos, conform datelor preliminare". Adevărul (in Romanian). 11 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  38. ^ "De ce a eșuat partidul AUR la alegerile din Republica Moldova, cu un scor sub 0,5%". Libertatea (in Romanian). 12 July 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Eduard Smirnov va prezida ședința de constituire a Parlamentului". 24 July 2021.
  40. ^ "Republica Moldova - Liderul interimar al PAS, Igor Grosu, ales preşedinte al Parlamentului - Esential - HotNews.ro". www.hotnews.ro (in Romanian). 29 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  41. ^ "Sandu Appoints Pro-Western Ally Gavrilita as Moldova's PM-Designate". Balkan Insight. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  42. ^ "Natalia Gavriliţa, noul prim-ministru al Republicii Moldova. Guvernul a fost învestit în funcţie cu 61 de voturi". adevarul.ro. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.