A dirty campaign produces a hung parliament
print icon The Russians are coming! Or perhaps not. Moldovans voted on February 24th, and delivered a hung parliament. From Moscow to Washington via Brussels, armchair strategists and local politicians argue that Moldova is the front-line of the new cold war. Moldovan politicians are portrayed as pro-Moscow or pro-Western, a game they love to play with foreigners. In fact, most Moldovans just want a better life. With all votes counted the Putin-friendly Socialists had won 31.
a pro-Western anti-corruption party which has pledged not to enter into a coalition with either of the other two big parties has won 26.8%. A party led by a man convicted for his role in stealing $1bn from Moldovan banks which then had to be covered by taxpayers won 8%. Get our daily newsletter Upgrade your inbox and get our Daily Dispatch and Editor's Picks.