CHISINAU -- The pro-Europe ruling party of Moldova has edged toward a major victory over the Russia-friendly opposition, indicating the small, impoverished nation will remain on a European path instead of drifting back toward the Kremlin. PAS, backed by pro-West President Maia Sandu, had 47 percent of the vote to the Patriotic Bloc’s 26.3 percent, according to the country’s election commission. More than 1.5 million Moldovans cast ballots in the election amid widespread reports of campaign meddling by the Kremlin, which denied the allegations. The contest pits Sandu's ruling PAS against the Patriotic Bloc alliance of pro-Russian parties. The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Moldova of "anti-Russian hysteria" and has denied it is interfering in what Sandu has called the "most consequential election" in her country's history.