Pro-Europe coalition narrowly wins key Moldovan election

• Three pro-Western parties in Moldova have about 44 per cent of the vote
• Despite pro-Russian Socialist party winning the election with 21 per cent
• They will now try to form a pro-European 'grand coalition' in the country
• Moldova, a small and poor EU country, borders on war-torn Ukraine

By Thomas Burrows for MailOnline

Published: 09:08 EST, 1 December 2014 | Updated: 09:15 EST, 1 December 2014

The three main pro-Europe parties in Moldova appear to be on course for a coalition, despite the pro-Russian Socialist party receiving the highest number of votes in yesterday's election.

According to latest results, the three pro-western parties have about 44 per cent of the vote. The opposition has 39 per cent.

This will see them hold 57-58 seats in Moldova's 101-seat parliament, while the two pro-Russian opposition parties will get 43-44 seats.

Moldovan residents voted in the crucial election yesterday, which saw the three pro-European parties record the highest number of votes - it is thought they will now form a 'grand coalition'

The sign which translates as 'I vote pro-Europe' demonstrates the feeling of pro EU sentiment in the country

Moldovan students gathered today with signs 'I vote pro-Europe', 'We want democracy' and 'we want justice'

Serving Prime Minister Iurie Ciocan has seen Moldova establish closer ties with Europe since 2009

The pro-Russian Socialist Party led with more than 21 per cent of the vote.

The Communist Party - a Soviet era survivor that still uses the hammer and sickle as its symbol - was in third with almost 18 per cent.

In second place were the pro-EU Liberal Democrats with 19 per cent. The party wants Moldova to achieve EU candidate status by 2017 and full membership by 2020.

Two other pro-Europe parties - the Democrats and the Liberals - are on 16 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.

It is now thought they will try to form a pro-European 'grand coalition' although that is likely to face opposition from Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Turkey today, has already shown his displeasure for the country establishing closer links with the EU by banning imports of wines, vegetables and meat

The pro-European coalition is likely to face opposition from the Russian President

The elections have taken on greater significance as Moldova, one of Europe's smallest and poorest countries, borders on war-torn Ukraine.

Ukraine has been in crisis since November last year, when the former leadership made a last-minute U-turn, refusing to sign a landmark association and free trade deal with the EU - under huge pressure from Russia.

That resulted in mass protests in Ukraine that toppled President Viktor Yanukovych, and the country later signed the EU deal.

But the protests, in turn, led to Russia annexing southern Crimea peninsula in March and backing rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Since then, the two countries have been locked in a bitter conflict that is the most dangerous to grip Europe since the wars in the former Yugoslavia.

Vladimir Voronin, leader of Moldova's Communist party, casts his vost in Chisinau, Moldova

A child casts her father's ballot at a polling station in Chisinau during yesterday's election

Moldova’s breakaway pro-Russian enclave of Transdniestria - which did not take part in the election - gives Russia a potential foot-hole in the country of 3.5 million.

However, Moscow has so far shown no desire to intervene.

But it has shown its displeasure for the pro-EU policies by prohibiting imports of wines, vegetables and meat from a struggling economy that relies on agricultural exports.

However, analysts say that with Moldova already gaining from the recent EU deal that enables its citizens to travel visa-free to western Europe - the pro-European sentiment in the country will be hard to overcome.

A three-party coalition, led by prime minister Iurie Leanca’s Liberal Democrats, has seen Moldova establish closer ties with Europe since 2009.

He has said he wants full EU membership for Moldova by 2020.

Turnout at yesterday's election was just under 56 per cent, the central electoral commission said, out of a total of 2.7 million eligible voters.