Keystone-SDA
In the former Soviet Republic of Moldova, the runoff election for the presidency began this morning without incident. Pro-European President Maia Sandu is running for a second term in office in the impoverished agricultural country between EU member Romania and Ukraine.
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03. November 2024 – 09:02
(Keystone-SDA) Sandu’s challenger is former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is running for the Socialist Party of pro-Moscow ex-President Igor Dodon.
In Moldova, which, like Ukraine, is a candidate for EU membership, Russia’s influence continues to be great. The outcome of the election is considered open.
All polling stations opened without delay, as the election management in the capital Chisinau announced. Earlier in the morning, tens of thousands of people in Chisinau and other places cast their votes in sunny autumn weather.
The 52-year-old head of state prevailed against another ten candidates in the first round on October 20th with 42.45 percent of the vote. Her competitor Stoianoglo (57), who wants economic relations with Russia in addition to EU integration, received 25.98 percent of the vote. Security authorities in Moldova had previously uncovered disinformation and vote-buying by pro-Russian forces.
Moldova has around 2.5 million inhabitants. Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans who live abroad – mainly in the EU – and in the breakaway Transnistria region controlled by Russia are also called to vote.
Polling stations in the country are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (6 a.m. to 8 p.m. CEST). Significant results are expected late in the evening.
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