The election of the most pro-EU government in Moldova’s history will open the door for reform, but Russian influence will prevent progress in the breakaway state of Transdniestria. Moldova elected its first female president in November. And now for the first time, a single pro-European party will also hold a majority in the country’s parliament. Pro-European president Maia Sandu called the July 11 snap election after months of obstruction following her election last year. Her Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) exceeded expectations by capturing an absolute majority of the votes, nearly 53% -- putting it on track to gain 48 seats to occupy 63 of the 101 in Moldova’s parliament. The Pro-Russian Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists, led by ex-Presidents Igor Dodon and Vladimir Voronin, lost 3 seats -- bringing its total to 32. The new Moldovan government’s first priority will likely be anti-corruption judicial reforms as a first step...
