Sandu wins the presidential elections in Moldova

Moldova's pro-EU president, Maia Sandu, has declared victory over her challenger, Russia-friendly Alexandr Stoianoglo, in a presidential election dogged by allegations of Russian interference and election fraud.

With 99.7 percent of the votes counted for the November 3 runoff, the Central Election Commission said that Sandu won 55.35 percent of the votes, while Stoianoglo 44.65 percent. The current president has a lead of 165,000 votes, according to preliminary results.

"Moldova, you are the winner," said Sandu shortly after midnight, whose victory was bolstered by votes in the capital, Chisinau, and in the diaspora.

"Today, dear Moldovans, you taught a lesson about democracy that is worthy of entering the history books. Today, you have saved Moldova. For a future with dignity", she added.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the election result in Moldova.

"Congratulations dear Maia Sandu on your victory tonight. It takes a rare strength to overcome the challenges you have faced in these elections," von der Leyen wrote in X. "I am happy to continue working with you towards the European future of Moldova and its people."

Stoianoglo, who has yet to concede defeat, appealed to his supporters to remain calm.

"Democracy, first of all, means prudence in facing the result", he said.

Initially, Stoianoglo had the lead, but the lead narrowed as votes in major cities and the votes of Moldova's western diaspora continued to be counted.

The Central Election Commission said turnout exceeded 54 percent, a higher turnout than in the first round and the highest since the 2020 presidential runoff.

Sandu won the first round on October 20 with 42 percent of the vote, compared to 26 for Stoianoglo, the former prosecutor general who received support from the pro-Russian Socialist Party of Moldova.

After voting in the Moldovan capital, Sandu said that she voted "with Moldova".

"Thieves want to buy your vote, they want to buy our country, but the power of the people is infinitely greater than their malice," she said.

As Sandu declared victory, Stoianoglo called for calm, saying that "democracy means above all, prudence to face the result".

The election was held amid accusations of interference in both the presidential race and a referendum on Moldova's possible EU integration, a direction that Sanduja and her supporters strongly support.

The result of the EU referendum was narrow and the "yes" vote received 50.38 percent, while Sanduja has claimed that "criminal groups together with foreign forces" have tried to "buy 300,000 votes" making the referendum result life narrower than was predicted in the polls.

Polls had predicted that Sanduja would win the presidential election in the first round, but Stoianoglo did better than expected in the election, causing a runoff to be held.

Sandu's national security adviser wrote in X that there was "massive interference" from Russia in the runoff round. However, he did not provide details about these claims.

In the runoff on November 3, there were reports of electoral irregularities, including the alleged photographing of votes.

Moldova has 3.02 million registered voters, including those in the diaspora. Voters in the West are said to have been decisive in the victory of the "yes" option in the EU referendum and have also helped Sandu in the run-off round.

While the office of president in Moldova is technically a ceremonial post, presidents typically wield considerable political influence. Under the laws, a person can serve two consecutive four-year terms as president.

During Sandus' first term, Moldova broke with Ukraine after Russia launched an invasion of the neighboring country in 2022. Chisinau joined EU sanctions against Moscow.

Moldova received the status of a candidate country for the EU in 2022 and started membership talks at the beginning of this year./ REL