2020 Moldovan President Maia Sandu in the center of Chisinau.
Bogdan Tudor | AFP | Getty Images
European leaders congratulated pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu for winning a runoff in Moldova’s presidential election at the weekend, a result seen as another step toward integrating the former Soviet republic into the European Union.
The second round of voting pits incumbent Maia Sandu against Russia-backed Socialist rival Alexandr Stoianoglo, after both candidates voted against each other last month. won a majority in the first round of voting.
With 99.9% of the votes counted on Monday morning, Sandhu won 55.4% of the vote and Stoianoglo won 44.6%. According to the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova.
Sandhu thanked supporters at home and abroad on Sunday, with more than 300,000 people voting overseas, significantly boosting her chances of victory.
“Moldova, today you have triumphed. Together we have demonstrated unity, the power of democracy, and the commitment to a dignified future. Thank you, dear Moldovans, at home and abroad. Walk proudly – you are free , hope, I am proud to serve you all,” Sandhu said on social media platform X.
Sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, the largely agricultural country of 3 million people finds itself caught between a dilemma: remain within Russia’s orbit or coexist in the future with Europe.
Russia accused of interfering in Moldova presidential election and last month’s congressional elections in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.when the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party declared victory. Moscow denies accusations of election interference, in turn Accuses the West of meddling in Georgia vote.
This weekend’s election follows a referendum in Moldova last month that asked citizens whether the right to fight for EU membership should be enshrined in the country’s constitution. A slim majority voted in favor of the move.
The result, and now Sandhu’s victory, has been cheered by European leaders unwilling to see Russian influence reasserted and spread to their eastern flanks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Sandhu on Sunday, Publish updates to Google Translate on X She “led the Republic of Moldova safely through difficult times and put the country on a European course. We stand with Moldova.”
At the same time, French President Macron also welcomed Sandu’s re-election and posted on X that “Democracy has defeated all interference and all conspiracies. France will continue to stand with Moldova on the European path. Translated according to CNBC.
So does European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Praise for Maya Sandhusaid on
