Moldovan President Claims Victory in Tight Election

(CLO) On November 3, incumbent President of Moldova Maia Sandu declared victory in the tense presidential election, defeating her opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo of the Socialist Party.

With 98% of votes counted, Ms Sandu led her rival Stoianoglo by 54.35%, according to the Central Election Commission, after a tense campaign.

Incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu celebrates her victory. Photo: REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza

The victory was seen as a strong sign of support for the pro-Western orientation of Ms Sandu, a former World Bank adviser, and has pushed Moldova hard to move away from Russia's influence and towards the European Union.

However, the election results show that Mr Stoianoglo still has strong support in many parts of the country, leading to the possibility that Ms Sandu's party could face difficulties in important parliamentary elections next summer, which will determine the structure of Moldova's government.

Mr Stoianoglo campaigned on a desire to integrate with the EU but also develop relations with Russia for the national interest. Ms Sandu has described him as a “Trojan horse” serving Russian interests, something he denies.

Moldova, a poor agricultural country that has swung back and forth between pro-Russian and pro-Western positions since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, held its election just a week after Georgia, another former Soviet republic, re-elected an anti-Western ruling party.

“People of Moldova, we have won! ... In the choice for a worthy future, no one is a loser,” Sandu said after declaring victory, pledging to listen to and serve all people, including those who voted for Stoianoglo.

The election saw the largest turnout of overseas voters since 2010. Stoianoglo narrowly beat Sandu at home, 51.2% to 48.8%. However, the Moldovan diaspora vote was strongly in Sandu's favour, with her predicted to receive more than 80% of their votes.

Police have been forced to act to prevent vote-buying which they say took place in the first round of elections on 20 October.

Ms Sandu stressed that this election was a choice between a bright future in the EU, while Mr Stoianoglo criticized her for not paying enough attention to the interests of ordinary people.

Sandu's opponents also took advantage of the votes against her handling of the economy, especially in the context of Moldova's difficulties after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis leading to high inflation due to a lack of gas supplies from Russia.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-moldova-tuyen-bo-chien-thang-trong-cuoc-bau-cu-cang-thang-post319834.html