NARRATIVE – Despite the Kremlin's efforts to influence the vote, the pro-European outgoing president was re-elected.
Special envoy to Chisinau and Comrat
It was a close call. The outgoing president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, neck and neck with a candidate supported by the pro-Russian Socialist Party after the first round of the presidential election two weeks ago, ended up winning the election this Sunday. The head of state obtained 55.41% of the votes, against 44.59% for Alexandr Stoianoglo. The outcome of the first round was marked by another snub for the pro-European president: during the referendum she called aimed at enshrining the European objective in the Constitution (the EU opened accession negotiations in June) , the “no” had almost won.
At issue, in particular: Russia's unprecedented and titanic efforts to rig and influence the elections. Authorities estimate that Moscow spent $100 million to manipulate the presidential election and referendum. According to local security sources, Moscow…
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