Moldova’s Pro-EU president, Maia Sandu, claimed a second term on Sunday in a tight election runoff with, despite alleged Russian interference.
Sandu, 52, won the election runoff with 55.41 percent of the vote and beat Alexandr Stoianoglo, who was backed by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, at 44.59 percent, with 99.86 percent of the ballots counted, according to the Moldovan Central Election Commission.
The runoff followed a referendum deciding whether the country would aim to join the EU, and it passed by a slim margin. The referendum took place on the same day as the first round of the presidential election.
Bordering Romania and Ukraine, Moldova, with a population of 2.6 million, has been embroiled in something of a tug-of-war between the competing influences of Russia and the West. Historically, the country was firmly in Russia’s orbit, but it is now hovering on the cusp of moving away from Moscow’s sphere of influence permanently.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu gives her victory speech after winning a second term in office on November 4, 2024. the pro-EU leader claimed the win as her national security adviser said that Russia tried to interfere with the election.
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Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press
Newsweek reached out to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment via email.
During the EU referendum and the presidential election, Moldovan officials accused Russia of trying to interfere in the election by paying voters and using social media to create fear regarding EU membership.
In early October, state officials accused a Russian and Moldovan oligarch who is a former member of parliament of paying $15 million to 130,000 citizens to vote following instructions sent on Telegram.
After she cast her ballot, Sandu reportedly warned of “thieves” seeking to buy the votes of Moldovan citizens, and Stanislav Secrieru, the president’s national security adviser, said that Russia brought voters to polling stations by bus and large charter flights.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, has denied these accusations saying: “We resolutely reject any accusations that we are somehow interfering in this. We are not doing this.”
Stoianoglo, formerly the prosecutor general of Moldova, has denied being pro-Kremlin, despite his political party’s pro-Russia stance.
The presidential election saw voter turnout at 54 percent. In her post on X, formerly Twitter, about her victory, Sandu wrote: “Moldova, today you are victorious. Together, we’ve shown the strength of our unity, democracy, and commitment to a dignified future. Thank you, dear Moldovans, at home and abroad. Walk with pride—you are freedom, hope, and resilience. I am proud to serve you all.”
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sandu on her victory on X and wrote: “It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you’ve faced in this election. I’m glad to continue working with you toward a European future for Moldova and its people.”
On October 31, Sandu posted on X about the recent referendum to join the EU, and said, “Moldova takes a historic step as the Constitutional Court ruled today to enshrine EU integration in our Constitution, reflecting the will of the people in the recent referendum. This victory belongs to our citizens, who have chosen a future anchored in peace and prosperity.”
Sandu has said she would work to have the country join the EU by 2030.
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