Moldova's pro-European ruling party won a resounding victory over its Russian-leaning rival in a key parliamentary election, results on Monday showed, in a major boost for the country's bid to join the EU and break away from Moscow's orbit.

Moldova was on a knife edge as the country awaits the outcome of a parliamentary election key in determining whether the country will remain on its pro-European path or veer back toward Russia's sphere of influence.

The separatist region of Transnistria has long been the thorn in the side of Moldova's pursuit of European Union membership – a fact thrown into sharp relief as parliamentary elections loom.

Moldova’s pro-European ruling party won a resounding victory over its Russian-leaning rival in a key parliamentary election, results showed on Monday, a major boost for the country’s bid to join the EU and break away from Moscow’s orbit.