Moldova's pro-European party led by President Maia Sandu claimed a clear lead and a new majority in parliamentary elections on Sunday seen as pivotal for the country's future in the European Union.

Axar.az informs, citing Euronews, with 95% of polling stations counted, the Party of Action and Solidarity led with 48% of the vote.

The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc has 25.6%, while the Russia-friendly Alternativa Bloc stood at 8.3% and the populist Our Party — which wants “balanced foreign policy” between East and West — has 6.3%. The right-wing Democracy at Home party has 5.7%.

The pivotal vote is set to elect a new 101-seat parliament, after which Moldova's president will nominate a new prime minister. A proposed government needs parliamentary approval.