Pro-Western Moldova president wins second term

Moldova’s pro-western president Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud and intimidation.

- STEPHEN MCGRATH & VADIM GHIRDA

With nearly 99 per cent of votes counted last night in the second round of the election held yesterday, Ms Sandu had 54.7 per cent of the vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), compared with 45.3 per cent for Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who was backed by the pro-Russia Party of Socialists.

The result will be a major relief for the pro-western government which strongly backed Ms Sandu’s candidacy and her push for closer western ties on Moldova’s path towards EU membership.

“Moldova, you are victorious. Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books. Today, you have saved Moldova. In our choice for a dignified future, no one lost,” Ms Sandu said after claiming victory after midnight.

But she claimed the vote faced an “unprecedented attack” through alleged schemes including dirty money, vote-buying and electoral interference “by hostile forces from outside the country” and criminal groups.