[1/3]Moldova’s incumbent President and presidential candidate Maia Sandu casts her ballots at a polling station, as the country holds a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, in Chisinau, Moldova October 20, 2024. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, welcomed the outcome of the referendum in a post on X: “In the face of Russia’s hybrid tactics, Moldova shows that it is independent, it is strong and it wants a European future!”
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said the voting campaigns had been marred by foreign interference and active disinformation efforts.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Russia had been actively working to undermine Moldova’s election and its European integration.
“Russia did not succeed, as the results demonstrate. Moldovan democracy is strong,” Kirby said, but added that he expected Moscow to try to influence the runoff election.
‘ONE MORE BATTLE’The future of the southeast European nation of under 3 million has been in the spotlight since Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine at a time of mounting confrontation between Moscow and the West.
Ties with Moscow have deteriorated as Sandu condemned the invasion and diversified energy supplies away from Russia.
Moldova’s twin votes came ahead of next Saturday’s closely contested parliamentary election in Georgia, another former Soviet republic that aspires to join the EU, but which Russia sees as part of its historical sphere of influence.
In a speech on Monday, Sandu said “there is still one more battle to fight”, urging Moldovans to back her in the runoff for the presidency.
Stoianoglo, who is backed by the traditionally pro-Russian Party of Socialists, has said that, if elected, he will build a “balanced” foreign policy involving ties with the EU, the United States, Russia and China.
He boycotted Sunday’s referendum, calling it a ruse to boost Sandu’s re-election bid. He challenged Sandu to a televised debate ahead of the runoff.
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Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Alexander Tanas in Chisinau; Additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa in Gdansk, Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Gareth Jones, Alex Richardson and Ros Russell
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Publish date : 2024-10-20 23:22:00
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