Moldova`s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) claimed a clear lead and a new majority in parliamentary elections on Sunday, seen as pivotal for the country"s future in the EU, writes Euronews.com.

"With nearly all polling station reports counted, electoral data showed the pro-EU PAS won 50.1% of the vote, while the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc had 24.2%.

The Russia-friendly Alternativa Bloc came third, followed by the populist Our Party. The right-wing Democracy at Home party also won enough votes to enter parliament.

Electoral data indicate PAS will hold a clear majority of around 55 of the 101 seats in the legislature. A proposed government needs parliamentary approval.

One pro-Russian opposition leader, Igor Dodon, called on his supporters to attend a rally outside Moldova`s parliament building to consolidate victory before results started coming in.

Eventually, it became clear that President Maia Sandu`s party stood to hold a majority of legislative seats. Moldova`s large diaspora looked likely to play a decisive role in the final outcome".