Moldova’s parliamentary elections held in September 2025 were at the heart of the second edition of the Electoral Forum, which brought together public authorities, members of parliament, experts, representatives of diplomatic missions, and civil society to analyze the electoral process and discuss the challenges and lessons that will shape future elections.

The event, organized by the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT and the Promo-LEX Association under the umbrella of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (CALC), provided a professional framework for assessing how electoral legislation, institutions, and political actors functioned in practice.

At the opening of the event, organizers emphasized the importance of the 2026 Electoral Forum as a space for reflection and professional dialogue, designed to identify key lessons from the 2025 parliamentary elections, highlight both progress and vulnerabilities within the electoral process, and outline priorities for strengthening democracy and electoral integrity in the Republic of Moldova.

“The 2026 Electoral Forum represents an essential platform for consolidating the integrity of electoral processes. By presenting the findings of the Promo-LEX Election Observation Mission and engaging in direct dialogue with political actors, institutions, and civil society, we can identify practical solutions to ensure fair, transparent, and inclusive elections in the Republic of Moldova,” said Ion Manole, Executive Director of the Promo-LEX Association.

“The 2025 elections demonstrated that Moldova is capable of organizing elections under unprecedented pressure, but they also showed that existing rules are increasingly challenged by cross-border illegal financing and digital manipulation. Civil society contributes precisely through data and analysis that help the state adapt its rules to these new realities, before vulnerabilities are repeated in future electoral cycles,” said Igor Boțan, Executive Director of the ADEPT Association.

From the perspective of the electoral authority, the Forum was described as a necessary exercise in institutional evaluation and inter-institutional dialogue. In this context, Angelica Caraman, President of the Central Electoral Commission, noted that “the Electoral Forum has become a platform for professional analysis and open dialogue among institutions involved in the electoral process. This reflection exercise is extremely valuable, as it allows us to examine developments from the perspectives of civil society, political parties, and other stakeholders. The 2025 parliamentary elections were among the most complex electoral exercises of recent years, particularly due to external interference and the necessary adjustments made throughout the process. The election outcome was made possible through cooperation among state institutions, civil society, the media, and citizens, with a strong emphasis on transparency and the security of the vote.”

International partners of the event highlighted the importance of upholding democratic standards and transparency in electoral processes, as well as the critical role of independent monitoring. In this context, H.E. Petra Lärke, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova, emphasized that “the Electoral Forum reaffirms the importance of monitoring electoral processes as an exercise in political accountability and civil society oversight. The results of the observation missions carried out by Promo-LEX once again demonstrate that the most recent elections were a complex process, requiring constant vigilance, transparency, and institutional cooperation. From this experience, we have learned how essential coordination among institutions is in responding effectively to existing challenges. The Forum contributes to strengthening democracy in the Republic of Moldova and provides a necessary space for reflection and continuous learning. Challenges related to electoral integrity are not unique to Moldova, but represent common risks across Europe.”

At the same time, international support was reiterated by H.E. Fern Horine, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Moldova, who stated that “the United Kingdom is an important partner of the Republic of Moldova. We are working to strengthen trust in Moldova, ensure transparency, and contribute to a fair electoral environment protected from extreme influences. This is an important effort for society as a whole, aimed at helping us move forward in peace, stability, and cohesion. In recent years, Moldova has faced serious challenges, yet together with civil society, state institutions, and citizens, it has demonstrated remarkable resilience. This has given democracy strong roots here.”

The importance of reflection and of strengthening democratic resilience was also underscored by H.E. Dominique Waag, Ambassador of France to the Republic of Moldova, who noted that “this is the right moment for reflection—reflection on what has worked well, on what has proven resilient, and on what still needs to be strengthened in order to maintain trust in democratic processes and prepare for future elections, including from the perspective of the legal framework. Democratic resilience is not a slogan; it is something that is built, tested, and improved over time. This is why France’s commitment and support for democracy in Moldova are based on partnership and mutual learning. France is proud to support Promo-LEX, whose expertise contributes to strengthening electoral institutions and practices.”

“Free and fair elections—above all, citizens’ trust in the electoral process and in public institutions—are essential for the functioning of democracy, for an open society, and for the European path of the Republic of Moldova. The 2026 Electoral Forum provides a space for analysis and dialogue at a time when democratic processes are increasingly under pressure from political forces with authoritarian agendas. Protecting the institutions of the rule of law remains a priority for maintaining democratic standards in the Republic of Moldova,” said Daniela Vidaicu, Executive Director of the Soros Foundation Moldova.

Subsequently, during two plenary sessions, the final findings of the Promo-LEX Election Observation Mission for the parliamentary elections were presented. Together with representatives of the Central Electoral Commission and the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT, participants discussed progress made, existing vulnerabilities, and strategic priorities in electoral governance and the legislative framework.

In the second part of the Electoral Forum, the event was structured around three core themes, developed through a series of debate sessions that brought to the forefront current challenges facing electoral processes and the solutions needed to strengthen their integrity.

The first debate, “Third Parties in Elections – Political Influence, Undeclared Campaigns, and the Integrity of Electoral Competition,” focused on the influence of actors who, without holding the status of electoral contestants, can intervene in political competition. Participants discussed covert political promotion, undeclared campaigns, and the use of manipulative polling, highlighting their impact on the fairness of elections. The dialogue centered on identifying solutions to ensure transparency in political communication and to protect the electoral process from illegitimate interference.

The second session, “The Political Party System – Rules of Participation, Integrity, and Genuine Political Pluralism,” emphasized the regulatory framework governing the activity of political parties. Discussions addressed the implementation of new rules on the registration, suspension, and dissolution of political parties, as well as transparency in political financing and the use of administrative resources. Participants underscored the importance of preserving genuine political pluralism and preventing practices that may undermine equal opportunities in electoral competition.

During the third debate, “Universal Suffrage – Access and Risks in the Exercise of the Right to Vote,” attention focused on how the right to vote is guaranteed for all citizens. Specific situations affecting voters from the diaspora, the Transnistrian region, and persons with disabilities were examined, along with the challenges and risks associated with the voting process. Discussions aimed at ensuring compliance with international standards and identifying concrete measures to guarantee equal, secure, and fair access to voting.

The event was organized by the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT and the Promo-LEX Association, under the auspices of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, with financial support from Sweden, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the European Union, the Embassy of France in the Republic of Moldova, the Council of Europe, and the Soros Foundation Moldova.