The Kremlin immediately demanded “proof” concerning these “serious accusations”, while denouncing “exceptions” in the counting of votes in the referendum.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed this vote. “Infuriating Moscow, impressing Europe, saving her country once again – that’s who Maia Sandu is. A great leader and a courageous nation,” the former head of the European Council wrote on the social network
In a vote clouded by accusations of Russian interference “categorically” rejected by the Kremlin, voters approved by 50.08% the inclusion of the European objective in the Constitution, after counting more than 98% of the ballots.
The “no” maintained a clear lead for several hours but the counting of ballots from the diaspora made it possible to reverse the trend at the last minute.
In her first official reaction in the middle of the night, the head of state denounced “an unprecedented attack on democracy” and promised “not to give in”. “Criminal groups, acting in concert with foreign forces hostile to our national interests, attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies and propaganda” to “trap our country in uncertainty and instability,” said Maia Sandu, her face serious.
At the same time, the 52-year-old candidate came first in the first round of the presidential election with nearly 42% of the votes. On November 3, she will face Alexandr Stoianoglo, a 57-year-old former prosecutor supported by the pro-Russian socialists, who did better than expected with some 26% of the vote.
Difficult second round ahead
Maia Sandu, who turned her back on Moscow after the invasion of neighboring Ukraine and brought her country’s candidacy to Brussels, had called this referendum to validate her strategy. And determine the “destiny” of this former Soviet republic of 2.6 million inhabitants. But his bet backfired.
Because even if the “yes” ultimately narrowly wins, this result, without calling into question the accession negotiations with the Twenty-Seven, “in some way weakens the pro-European image of the population and the leadership of Maia Sandu,” comments French political scientist Florent Parmentier, a specialist in the region.
The first woman to occupy the highest positions in 2020, this former World Bank economist with a reputation for incorruptibility has become a leading European personality in four years. In a complicated geopolitical environment, with Ukraine at war and Georgia accused of pro-Russian authoritarian drift, Moldova gave Brussels something to hope for, underlines the expert.
However, after this setback, a victory for Maia Sandu in the second round is far from assured. Alexandr Stoianoglo can count on the vote reserves of many small candidates “and the terrible trap of: all against Sandu” risks closing in on her, according to the analyst.
During the campaign, this stern-looking man called for “restoring justice” in the face of a power ready, according to the opposition, to violate rights and pleaded for a “balanced” foreign policy, from the EU to Russia.
Corruption and disinformation
Throughout the day, Moldovans responded, including those from the separatist region of Transdniestria, which hosts a garrison of Russian soldiers. “I came to give my voice for the prosperity, peace and well-being of our country,” says Olga Cernega, a 60-year-old economist from Chisinau.
Others, like this sixty-year-old jurist who only wanted to give his first name, Ghenadie, were worried about Moldova’s “western” turn, a loss of identity and judged that the current government “has made the situation worse”, so that part of the population has been impoverished by record inflation.
Between corruption and disinformation operations, the police have carried out 350 searches in recent months and carried out hundreds of arrests of suspects accused of wanting to disrupt the electoral process on behalf of Moscow. A massive vote-buying scheme has been revealed, targeting up to a quarter of voters expected at the polls in the country of 2.6 million people.
