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Party of Action and Solidarity

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Party of Action and Solidarity
Partidul Acțiune și Solidaritate
AbbreviationPAS
LeaderIgor Grosu
Secretary-GeneralArtur Mija
FounderMaia Sandu
Founded15 May 2016; 9 years ago (2016-05-15)
Headquarters9/1 Maria Cebotari Street, Chișinău
Youth wingPAS Youth
Membership (2025)15,301
IdeologyConservative liberalism
Pro-Europeanism
Political positionCentre to centre-right
European affiliationEuropean People's Party (associate)
International affiliationInternational Democracy Union[1]
Colours  Yellow   Black
SloganE vremea oamenilor buni ('It is the time of the good people')
Parliament
55 / 101
District Presidents
18 / 32
Mayors
291 / 898
Party flag
Website
www.unpaspentru.md Edit this at Wikidata

The Party of Action and Solidarity (Romanian: Partidul Acțiune și Solidaritate, PAS) is a pro-European political party in Moldova. The PAS was founded by Maia Sandu, the former Minister of Education and the incumbent president of Moldova. It is an observer of the European People's Party (EPP)[2] and the International Democracy Union (IDU).[3]

History

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Formation

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The party was created amid the 2015–2016 protests in Moldova and growing popular dissatisfaction with the ruling parties. On 23 December 2015, Maia Sandu posted a YouTube video in which she announced her intention to form a new political party. Her stated reason for doing so was the creation of a grassroots party, that would function based on the principles of internal democracy and would be financed through small donations.[4] Sandu was elected as leader of the PAS on 15 May 2016 and the party was officially registered by the Ministry of Justice on 26 May. At the time of registration, the party had 7,500 members and 20 local organizations.[5] In February 2017, the party applied for membership of the European People's Party (EPP).[6]

In coalition government: June 2019 – November 2019

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In the 2019 Moldovan parliamentary election, the PAS and the Dignity and Truth Platform Party formed the NOW Platform electoral alliance, which gathered 26.8% of the votes. After the alliance split into two separate parliamentary groups, the PAS ended up with 15 seats. On 6 June, the Party announced that it was ready to form a coalition government with the pro-Russian Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) with the goal of freeing state institutions, which in their opinion were under oligarchic control. After the coalition was formed, PSRM leader Zinaida Greceanîi was elected as Speaker of the Parliament and the Sandu Cabinet was inaugurated.[7] Largely because of the significant ideological differences between the ruling parties, the government only lasted for five months and was ousted on 12 November after the PSRM and the Democratic Party of Moldova voted in favor of a motion of no confidence.[8]

In opposition: November 2019 – July 2021

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After the ousting of the Sandu cabinet, the PAS was in opposition. In the 2020 Moldovan presidential election, the party's candidate and leader Sandu was elected as President of Moldova. According to Moldovan law, the president cannot be a member of a political party which resulted in Sandu resigning from the office of party president and renouncing her party membership. Until the next party congress, the post of PAS president is held by first vice president Igor Grosu on an interim basis.[9]

In majority government: July 2021 – present

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The PAS won by a landslide during the 2021 Moldovan parliamentary election, earning them 63 seats in the parliament.[10] Igor Grosu was elected the President of the Moldovan Parliament.[11] On 6 August 2021, Natalia Gavrilița was voted by 61 MPs as the Prime Minister of Moldova and she became the second PAS Prime Minister of Moldova, after Maia Sandu (2019).[12] In early 2022, the party will hold a leadership election and is also expected to nominate a candidate for the 2023 Chișinău mayoral elections.[13] In December 2023, the PAS joined forces with PSRM to secure a two-thirds majority for dismissing Octavian Armașu as governor of the National Bank of Moldova.[14][15][16] The dismissal was criticised by the European Commission[17][18] and International Monetary Fund.[19]

Elections in Moldova have played a decisive role in shaping the country’s geopolitical direction, often seen as a crossroads between pro-European reform and closer ties with Russia. The 2021 parliamentary election was particularly significant, marking a major shift toward European integration as PAS secured a commanding majority. The 2025 election further reinforced this trajectory; even though the number of parliamentary seats had been reduced, PAS managed to retain its majority, underscoring continued public support for institutional reforms, anti-corruption efforts, and closer cooperation with the European Union. These elections not only redefined Moldova’s domestic political landscape but also drew international attention due to their implications for regional stability in Eastern Europe.

Political positions

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The PAS has been widely described as a pro-European,[10][20][21] pro-Western,[22][23][24] centrist[25][26][27] or centre-right[28][29][30] party that adheres to liberalism[31][32][33][34] and liberal conservatism.[35] The party documents declare they support social liberalism.[36] Italian scholar Gian Marco Moisé described the party as populist.[37]

Economic policies

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According to its program, the PAS supports the idea of an economy "based on private initiative" and is in favor of a "significant reduction of bureaucracy in all stages of business".[38] In the 2020 Moldovan presidential election campaign, the party's candidate Maia Sandu proposed raising the minimum wage to 2,000 lei (around 114 US dollars).[39]

Foreign policy

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A member of the European People's Party (EPP),[40] the PAS supports membership of Moldova in the European Union,[41][42] establishing a strategic partnership with the United States, and maintaining a normal and non-confrontational relationship with Russia. The party supports strengthening Moldova's relationship with Romania but does not explicitly endorse the unification of Moldova and Romania.[38][43]

According to Moldovan diplomat Mihai Gribincea, PAS promoted a "civic Moldovan nation" not adhering to Soviet-era Moldovenism and its anti-Romanian framing but neither to explicit unionism with Romania and to a national historical narrative coherently Romanian. This would have aimed to produce a balanced neutral identitary discourse to replace old ethnolinguistic and geopolitical conflicts and avoid fractures in the electorate and allow the formation of a broad civic front capable of supporting a pro-European agenda.[44][45] A similar opinion was argued by the writer and journalist Nicolae Negru, who said in 2018 that PAS and the Dignity and Truth Platform have a duplicitous attitude towards Romania: on the one hand, they support closer relations with Romania, but, on the other hand, they promote the statalism and "the civic Moldovan nation".[46] In 2025, the opposition Moldovan National Party accused PAS, that although it promoted the introduction of the Romanian language as the official language into the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova in 2023, it did not implement this law in order to promote the idea of "the civic Moldovan union" and not an explicitly Romanian identity of Moldovans.[47] A similar opinion was expressed by the Romanian sociologist and geopolitician Dan Dungaciu in 2016:

The underlying theme of the anti-corruption battle was the idea of a “civic Moldovan nation.” THIS is the reason why so many people gathered around the DA Platform and, later, around Maia Sandu. For many Moldovan intellectuals, “anti-corruption” became the false conscience of a so-called “civic Moldovan patriotism.”

This also explains why, within the DA Platform and later in Maia Sandu’s inner circle, we could find former advisers of Mircea Snegur — people who, back in June 1994, were encouraging him to sponsor the insidious congress “Our Home – Republic of Moldova”, the first explicit and well-articulated project of Moldovan identity after the fall of the USSR. In 1994, Moldovenism effectively became a state project. This explains why the DA Platform, and later Maia Sandu, rejected any Romanian identity formulas: because they already had one! It was the idea of a “civic Moldovan nation” (different from the “ethnic Moldovan nation” of Snegur or Voronin). This concept claims to transcend ethnicity and focus solely on “unity”: it rejects anything that could fragment the monolithic unity of the republic — whether geopolitics, appeals to Romania, or appeals to Russia. Instead, it seeks to unite everyone — Romanians, Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians, Gagauz, Bulgarians, Jews, and others—into the “civic Moldovan nation” and to mobilize them in the fight against corruption. Anti-corruption becomes, in effect, a mechanism of nation-building. Still, there is nothing truly new under the sun. This is merely another episode—in fact, a project that died before it was fully born—in the long saga of attempts to define the republic in non-Romanian terms: from the ethnic Moldovanism of Mircea Snegur (*“Our Home – Republic of Moldova”*) and Vladimir Voronin’s 2003 National Conception, to Vlad Filat’s slippery notion of “European Moldovanism,” and, more recently, the identity projects of Marian Lupu and the Democratic Party.

Today, in the case of Maia Sandu and her supporters, what we are dealing with is the project of a “civic Moldovan nation.”[48][49]

In 2021, when asked how she views the rise of the pro-union movement in the Republic of Moldova, given that the most recent poll showed that around 44% of Moldovans would like unification with Romania, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, founder of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), stated:

We know that there is a large number of people who support the idea of unification. At the same time, there is another part of society that is fearful of this idea. A major project like this can only be undertaken with sufficient majority support. We will follow the polls to see how things develop. Meanwhile, we are building relations with Romania. Beyond speeches, we are building bridges—projects that unite us in the energy, cultural, and educational fields.[50]

When asked whether it would be enough for 50% plus one to support unification, Maia Sandu replied that "more than that is needed, as such a project must be supported by an overwhelming majority of citizens." Furthermore, Maia Sandu implied that she is not advocating for an unification with Romania, but rather for closer ties within the framework of the European Union: "Romania is waiting for us in the European Union," Maia Sandu concluded.[50]

Leadership

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  Has been serving as the President of Moldova and also served as Prime Minister of Moldova
  Also served as the President of the Moldovan Parliament
No. Name Image Term start Term end Term length
1 Maia Sandu 15 May 2016 10 December 2020 4 years, 6 months and 25 days
2 Igor Grosu 15 May 2022 Incumbent

Current leadership positions

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Election results

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Parliament

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Election Leader Performance Rank Government
Votes % ± pp Seats +/–
2019 Maia Sandu 380,181
26.84%
(ACUM)[a] 		New
15 / 101
 New 3rd Coalition (ACUM (PAS–PPDA)–PSRM) majority government (2019)
Opposition to PSRM–PDM government (2019–2021)
2021 Igor Grosu 774,754
52.80%
 Increase 25.96
63 / 101
 Increase 48 1st Supermajority government
Gavrilița Cabinet (2021–2023)
Recean Cabinet (2023–present)
2025 792,557
50.20%
 Decrease 2.60
55 / 101
 Decrease 8 1st Majority government

President of Moldova

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Election Candidate First round Second round Result
Votes % Votes %
2016 Maia Sandu 549,152
38.71%
 766,593
47.89%
 Lost Red XN
2020 Maia Sandu 487,635
36.16%
 943,006
57.72%
 Elected Green tickY
2024 Supported Maia Sandu[b] 656,852
42.49%
 930,139
55.35%
 Elected Green tickY

Chișinău mayoral elections

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Election Leader Candidate First round Second round Result
Votes % Votes %
2018 Maia Sandu Andrei Năstase
(ACUM) 		71,803 32.12 129,432 52.57 Elected Green tickY
2019 70,056 31.08 112,514 47.61 Lost Red XN
2023 Igor Grosu Lilian Carp 74,074 28.23 — — Lost Red XN

Chișinău Municipal Council elections

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Election Leader Votes Seats Position
Votes % No.
2019 Maia Sandu 74,255 33.30
19 / 51
(ACUM) 		2nd
2023 Igor Grosu 84,615 32.88
20 / 51
 2nd
  1. ^ NOW Platform DA and PAS won 26 seats of which 15 went to the PAS and 11 to the PPDA.
  2. ^ The President of Moldova traditionally resigns from party membership after taking office. Although Sandu was officially an independent candidate, her campaign was endorsed, supported, and funded by the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS).

Local elections

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Mayors

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Election year Mayors % of
overall
mayor mandates 		No. of
overall
mandates won 		+/–
2023 291 32.51
291 / 898

President of Romania

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Election Candidate First round Second round Result
Votes % Votes %
2025 Supported Crin Antonescu 1,892,930
20.07%
 Not qualified Lost Red XN
Supported Nicușor Dan Not endorsed 6,168,642
53.60%
 Elected Green tickY

References

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  1. ^ "Members | International Democracy Union". 1 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Parties and partners". European People's Party. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Members". International Democracy Union. February 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  4. ^ "(ȘTIREA ZILEI) Maia Sandu anunță formarea unei MIȘCĂRI pentru crearea unui nou partid politic". timpul.md (in Romanian). 23 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  5. ^ "(doc) Partidul Acțiune și Solidaritate/PAS a fost înregistrat oficial la Ministerul Justiției". diez.md (in Romanian). 26 May 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  6. ^ Olaf Wientzek (2019). The European People's Party and the East: Party Cooperation in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Nomos Verlag. p. 54. ISBN 978-3-7489-0401-4.
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  10. ^ a b "Moldova pro-Europeans win resounding election victory". www.euractiv.com. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Igor Grosu, ales preşedinte al Parlamentului Republicii Moldova". adevarul.ro. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
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  16. ^ Dermenji, Denis (21 December 2023). "Parlamentul l-a revocat din funcție pe guvernatorul BNM, Octavian Armașu, după audieri despre "furtul miliardului"". Radio Europa Liberă Moldova. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  17. ^ Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of macro-financial assistance to third countries in 2023. 2024. p. 5.
  18. ^ https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/858717b3-f8ef-4514-89fe-54a6aa15ef69_en?filename=Moldova%20Report%202024.pdf page 49 "However, the abrupt dismissal of the governor of the National Bank of Moldova in December 2023 raised concerns regarding good economic governance and the independence of the central bank. The dismissal was conducted in line with Moldovan law, though this falls short of international best practice."
  19. ^ International Monetary Fund (2024). Country reports: Republic of Moldova. p. 6. ISBN 9798400297151.
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  21. ^ Tidey, Alice (16 November 2020). "Moldova: Sandu is president, but the battle for power has only begun". euronews. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  22. ^ Nigai, Bogdan (20 August 2025). "Moldova's public opinion on EU, NATO, and Russia". Moldova 1.
  23. ^ Całus, Kamil (5 September 2025). "On the eve of a parliamentary election in Moldova: a European future in the shadow of uncertain results". Centre for Eastern Studies.
  24. ^ Harward, Christina (5 September 2025). "Russia Continues Efforts to Regain Influence over Moldova". Institute for the Study of War.
  25. ^ Felcher, Anastasia. "Cultures of History Forum : The Divided Legacies of 9 May in Moldova". www.cultures-of-history.uni-jena.de. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  26. ^ "The Continental Review". Groupe d'études géopolitiques. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
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  31. ^ "Moldova and Georgia: Two pivotal votes on their future in Europe". BBC News. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  32. ^ "Results Show Moldovans Determined To Continue On Way To Europe, Sandu Says". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
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  34. ^ Pociumban, Anastasia (202). "Moldova's Presidential Elections and EU Referendum: A Critical Moment". Forschungsinstitut der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik. DGAP Memo. 21. doi:10.60823/DGAP-24-41237-en – via SSOAR.
  35. ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Moldova". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  36. ^ "Program-PAS" (PDF). unpaspentru.md. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  37. ^ Moisé, Gian Marco (2024). "Does Politics Need Foes? Three Focal Events that Explain Contemporary Moldovan Politics and the Risks for its Democracy". Südosteuropa Mitteilungen. 64 (2–03): 78.
  38. ^ a b "The Program of the Political Party "Action and Solidarity Party" (PAS)" (PDF). 15 May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  39. ^ "Program". Maia Sandu Președinte 2020 (in Romanian). Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  40. ^ Milheiro, Karine (21 October 2016). "EPP Presidency: Maia Sandu is the change Moldova needs (EN+RO)". EPP. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  41. ^ "Moldova election: Pro-EU candidate Maia Sandu wins presidency". BBC News. Politico. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Pro-EU Sandu becomes Moldova's president". Politico. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Statutul Partidului Politic "Partidul Acțiune Şi Solidaritate" (PAS)" (PDF) (in Romanian). 15 May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  44. ^ ""Națiunea civică moldovenească" – între vis european și amnezie identitară", Podul.ro, 6 June 2025, retrieved 3 October 2025
  45. ^ "„Națiunea civică moldovenească" – între vis european și amnezie identitară.", Reunirea, 6 June 2025, retrieved 4 October 2025
  46. ^ "Oligarho-unioniștii, oligarho-europeniștii, oligarho-stataliștii etcetera", Ziarulnational.md/nicolae-negru-oligarho-unionistii-oligarho-europenistii-oligarho-statalistii-etcetera, retrieved 4 October 2025
  47. ^ "Controverse privind implementarea limbii române în Republica Moldova: PNM acuză guvernarea PAS de „trădare națională"", Telegraph Moldova – Agenție de presă, 1 February 2025, retrieved 4 October 2025
  48. ^ "Exclusiv Dan Dungaciu. Geopolitica bate politica la Chişinău", Adevărul, 14 November 2016, retrieved 4 October 2025
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  50. ^ a b "(Video) Maia Sandu desființează ideea Unirii cu România: „Nu este suficient ca 50%+1 din populație să vrea Unirea"", Liber TV – Fii liber cu noi!, 27 December 2021, retrieved 4 October 2025
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