Moldova's electoral commission has excluded the pro-Russian political party "Greater Moldova" from participating in Sunday's parliamentary elections over suspicions of illegal financing, officials said on Saturday.
As reported by Reuters, the decision was made late on Friday.
This is the second pro-Russian party to be expelled just days before the election, amid concerns about alleged Russian interference, the regularity of the electoral process and the future of Moldova's European aspirations.
Moldova's Central Election Commission has expelled the Greater Moldova party after police, security and intelligence services determined that the party was using illegal and foreign funding, the commission said.
The leader of the "Council of Moldova", Victoria Furtuna, said the decision was biased and announced an appeal, the Moldpres media agency reports.
The Election Commission determined that the party used undeclared financial resources, and it is suspected that they gave money to voters to influence the outcome of the election.
Officials also suspect that the party is acting as a successor to a previously banned party led by pro-Russian businessman and fugitive Ilan Shor.
Shor, who denies all charges, lives in Moscow.
Sunday's parliamentary elections are considered a turning point for Moldova, a former Soviet republic and candidate country for membership in the European Union.
The ruling, pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maja Sandu, has had a parliamentary majority since 2021. However, polls show that PAS may lose its majority as opposition parties attract voters concerned about the high cost of living, rising poverty and a weak economy.
Analysts warn that forming a coalition government could complicate PAS's efforts to bring Moldova into the EU by 2030.
Another pro-Russian party, "Heart of Moldova", which is part of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, was banned from participating in last week's elections.
Russia claims that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
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