Moldovan authorities bar pro-Russian party from Sunday's election

Irina Vlah, leader of the Heart of Moldova Republican Party and one of the leaders of the Patriotic Electoral Bloc, attends a rally launching the election campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections, at the Capriana Monastery in the village of Capriana, Moldova August 29, 2025. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo

(Reuters) -Election officials in Moldova barred a pro-Russian party on Friday from standing in Sunday's parliamentary election, a move that threatens to raise tensions ahead of the high-stakes vote.

The decision by the Central Election Committee to exclude Heart of Moldova, part of the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, followed a court ruling limiting the party's activity for one year.