Moldova suspended in extremely tight EU referendum, as ‘yes’ returns to lead

After a long race at the head of the “no”, the “yes” to membership in the EU took the upper hand on Monday morning in Moldova, according to the almost final count, an extremely close result in the form of a snub for the pro-president. European Maia Sandu. At the same time, the 52-year-old candidate came first in the first round of the presidential election but is preparing for a difficult second round.

More than 98% of ballots counted

In a vote clouded by accusations of Russian interference “categorically” rejected by the Kremlin, voters approved by 50.16% the inclusion of the European objective in the Constitution, after counting more than 98% of the ballots.

Defying the predictions, the “no” maintained a clear lead for several

“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”

hours but the vote of 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,” she told the press, her face serious.

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, for AFP.

With nearly 42% of the votes, she is well ahead of Alexandr Stoianoglo (26%), a 57-year-old former prosecutor supported by the pro-Russian socialists. But it can count on the vote reserves of many small candidates “and the terrible trap of + All against Sandu +” risks closing on it, according to the analyst.