Expressed in vote numbers, the majority was narrow for PAS, the party received 50.1 percent of the votes, compared to the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc's 24.2 percent.
But the rules for seat distribution mean that PAS is then expected to get 55 of the 101 seats in the country's parliament, reports AP.
The result is a "clear and clear" message from the Moldovan voters, despite "pressure and interference" from Russia, writes Costa on X.
The polling stations closed officially at 8 pm on Sunday evening, but the result was delayed and the number of votes continued to rise hours after the election was supposed to have ended. Reports from the capital Chisinau testified that many voters had come late to the polling stations.
Many abroad
A significant number of Moldovans are also resident abroad; in EU countries, mainly Italy and Germany, and in the USA - but also in Russia. Just over 270,000 eligible voters were estimated to have voted from their hometowns abroad.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has been present with election observers. One of them was Member of Parliament Linnéa Wickman (S), who said late on Sunday afternoon that the election had gone calmly at the places she visited.
In the pro-Russian breakaway republic of Transnistria, residents had been able to go to polling stations in "safe places" in Moldova to cast their votes, says Wickman.
According to Moldova's election commission, over 1.6 million inhabitants voted in the election. This corresponds to just over 52 percent of those eligible to vote, according to the election commission.
"Save the republic"
The opposition leader, former president Igor Dodon, called for peaceful protests in front of the parliament building on Monday, even before a result was presented.
EU-friendly President Maia Sandu, who has great responsibility in future government negotiations, issued a warning when she cast her vote:
Today, in our country, democracy is in the hands of the Moldovans. Only they can save the Republic of Moldova.
