Republik Moldau

Moldova’s ruling pro-European party has lost a bid for the mayorship of the country’s capital and other key cities despite victories in many areas in local elections that were overshadowed by accusations of Russia's meddling.

Moldova’s local elections were calm and efficiently managed with candidates mostly able to campaign freely, but the broad powers of the government commission for exceptional situations were used to restrict freedom of speech and association as well as the right to stand, while interference from abroad and widespread allegations of vote buying throughout the campaign were of concern, international observers said in a statement today.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of "buying" voters in the November 5 local elections by funneling money to pro-Moscow political parties.

Kremlin says proposed ban on 22 Russia-linked websites forms part of a plan 'to eliminate Russian-language content and mass media' in Moldova and is 'a flagrant violation' of freedom of expression.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu says steps taken by her country -- one of Europe's poorest -- to diversify its gas supplies means Russia can no longer "blackmail" Chisinau "as it used to."

Iulian Rusu's resignation comes ahead of a critical report from the European Commission on whether Moldova has met key conditions on justice reform and curbing corruption.

Ahead of local elections due in November, the communications regulator has been given new powers to block web portals based on requests from the Moldovan intelligence services.

In a resolution, MEPs vote to reaffirm their commitment to Moldova’s future EU membership and want accession talks with Chişinău to launch before the end of the year.

Moldova will uphold its gas supply contract with Russia's Gazprom in order to ward off crises over power prices in the country and hardship in its breakaway Transnistria region, Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said on Thursday (21 September).

The Moldovan anti-corruption prosecutors detained two MPs for taking bribes from a criminal group allegedly led by fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor to join an ostensibly pro-European party that is allegedly under his control.