The pro-European president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, has defeated the candidate of the pro-Russian socialists, Alexandr Stoianoglo, in the elections with more than 10 points, as reported this Monday by the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova.
With 99.68% of the preliminary scrutiny, Sandu received 55.35% of the support of Moldovan voters, compared to 44.65% obtained by his rival.
As during the first round of the elections, held on October 20, and the presidential elections in 2020, the vote of the Moldovan community residing abroad has been key to determining the winner of the elections.
According to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry, more than 300,000 citizens exercised their right to vote abroad.
While in the country 54.08% of the electoral roll went to the polls, amounting to just over 3.3 million voters.
“Unprecedented interference”
The European Union has congratulated the current Moldovan president on her re-election for a second term despite “unprecedented” interference from Russia and expressed its willingness to help the country on its path to joining the community club.
“We congratulate the Moldovan authorities for the successful holding of the elections, despite the unprecedented interference of Russia, including with vote-buying schemes and disinformation,” declared the European Commission and the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. , in a joint statement.
These “hybrid attempts have sought to undermine the country’s democratic institutions and its path towards the EU,” stated the community Executive and the high representative for Foreign Affairs, who have reaffirmed the bloc’s determination to support “the security and resilience” of Moldova, including through the European Peace Fund and the European Union Partnership Mission.
In fact, Moldova was the first country to conclude a Security and Defense Partnership with the EU, Borrell and the Commission have highlighted.
For the EU, Sandu’s re-election reaffirms “the commitment of the Moldovan people to the European path and to strengthening close ties.”
“The EU will continue to work with the president and the Moldovan authorities to promote further reforms and improve the country’s stability and prosperity on its path towards the EU, including through the recently announced Growth Plan for Moldova,” the community authorities have stated. .
“It takes a rare kind of fortitude to overcome the challenges Moldova has faced in these elections. I am happy to continue working with you for a European future for Moldova and its people,” said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the social network X.
Sandu, who “led the effort for democracy, the rule of law and a European future, has been re-elected president,” “has demonstrated extraordinary courage and leadership in defending her people. Europe will continue to support Moldova on this path,” the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, highlighted on the same platform.
A message that the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has also influenced, since in his opinion the people of Moldova have reaffirmed “their confidence in their leadership, stability and commitment to a European future.”
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