site.btaMoldovan Diaspora in Bulgaria Votes in Parliamentary Elections

Members of Moldovan diaspora in Bulgaria are exercising their right to vote in the parliamentary elections at the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Sofia on Sunday. The elections are considered a turning point for the former Soviet republic, which is now a candidate country for EU membership. Pro-European and pro-Russian forces are locked in a tight race.

By 3:00 p.m., around 250 people had cast their ballots, with voting proceeding normally, Victoria Goreainov, Chair of the Electoral Commission at the Voting Station, told BTA. “Only one polling station has been opened in Bulgaria, in Sofia, with two voting booths and one ballot box. The diaspora is showing active participation, with preliminary results expected after 9:00 p.m.,” Goreainov added.

Members of the National Army serving in Moldova’s 23rd peacekeeping mission in Kosovo under NATO’s KFOR traveled to cast their votes at Moldova’s Embassy in Sofia, as it is the nearest polling station for them.

Ion, a member of the peacekeeping mission, said: “We want a better future and for Moldova to be a democratic country. We want to change the infrastructure, develop the economy, strengthen ties with international partners and bring back Moldovan citizens by offering more jobs so they can live at home and together we can grow the country’s economy.”

Andrey, a young professional living in Sofia for several years, said: “I came to vote because I believe the new parliament must support transparent reforms and create opportunities for young people in Moldova. I hope these elections will bring stability and a better future for our country.”

Maria, a Bessarabian Bulgarian with dual Moldovan and Bulgarian citizenship, told BTA: “As a citizen of two countries, I came to vote today with the expectation that the new parliament will strengthen Moldova’s European course and work for real reforms to improve people’s lives. No less important for me is the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict and the final reintegration of Transnistria into the country. In my view, these elections should be a step towards stability and a European future for Moldova.”

A total of 22 parties, coalitions and independent candidates are registered for the vote. Nearly 3.3 million citizens are eligible to cast a ballot, including Moldovans living abroad. For the elections, 3.6 million ballots were printed in Romanian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Russian, Gagauz and Romani, of which around 865,000 were sent to polling stations abroad. The Central Election Commission accredited more than 3,400 observers, including over 900 international ones.

Polling stations will close at 9:00 p.m. According to a decision of Moldova's Central Electoral Commission, no exit polls will be conducted. The final results, including those from voting abroad, are expected no earlier than Monday, as protocols from foreign polling stations are processed later.

BTA has a special correspondent to cover the elections.