Moldova’s pro-western incumbent Maia Sandu has decisively won a second term as president, a significant boost for the country’s EU aspirations and a clear rebuke to Moscow.
Sunday’s election was seen as a crucial indicator of whether the country would continue its path toward Europe or pivot back to Russia. In the end, she beat her Moscow friendly rival by 10%.
Ms Sandu, who has intensified efforts to break away from Moscow’s influence, faced the Kremlin-friendly political newcomer, Alexandr Stoianoglo, from the Socialist party, in the runoff.
With almost 100% of the ballots counted, Sandu led with 55.41%, the Central Election Commission said.
“Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books… Freedom, truth, and justice have prevailed,” she said.
In her victory speech, Ms Sandu said that she had listened to the voices of her supporters and those of her opponent, Stoianoglo. She said that her primary goal for the coming years would be to serve as a president for all citizens.
Her position was weakened after a referendum she initiated, asking Moldovans whether they supported EU integration, only passed by a razor-thin margin on Oct.20. The referendum was together with the first round of the presidential elections where she won 42% of votes, but failed to win an outright majority.
The election outcome was welcomed in Brussels a week after Georgia, another ex-Soviet state hoping to join the EU, re-elected a Moscow-friendly party.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sandu on her victory and the country’s “European future”.
“It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you’ve faced in this election. I’m glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people,” von der Leyen wrote on X.
Both presidential election rounds as well as the EU referendum vote were marred by accusations of Russian meddling.
Authorities accused Russia and its proxies of leading a massive vote-buying campaign and spreading misinformation to sway the election.
