Moldova’s Pro-EU President Secures Re-election Amidst Allegations of Russian Interference

President Maia Sandu of Moldova, a proponent of closer ties with the EU, secured a second term following a closely contested election run-off, which was widely perceived as a decision between alignment with Europe or Russia. The Moldovan Central Electoral Commission officially verified Sandu’s win on Monday morning. Based on preliminary results, Sandu garnered 55% of the votes. In a speech delivered late Sunday night, she pledged to serve as president for all citizens of Moldova. Her opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, supported by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, had advocated for strengthening relations with Moscow. On the day of the election, the president’s national security adviser stated that Russia had engaged in “massive interference” within Moldova’s electoral process, possessing a “high potential to distort the outcome.” Russia had previously refuted allegations of interference in this election, which occurred one week after a significant Eastern European election in Georgia, an event that Georgia’s president characterized as a “Russian special operation.” Alexandr Stoianoglo, previously dismissed from his position as prosecutor general by Sandu, has rejected claims of being pro-Kremlin. The European Commission and the EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, issued a joint statement congratulating Sandu on her re-election, asserting that “unprecedented interference by Russia” had taken place. Upon the closure of polling stations, both Sandu, aged 52, and her challenger expressed gratitude to voters. Stoianoglo addressed the public in both Russian and Romanian. While Romanian serves as Moldova’s primary language, Russian is commonly used due to the country’s Soviet history. Voter turnout reached 54%, a notable figure, particularly among expatriate voters at international polling stations. Stoianoglo initially led on election night and proved to be the stronger candidate within Moldova itself, securing over 51% of the vote. Sandu emerged victorious in the capital city of Chisinau and demonstrated overwhelming support among expat voters. When she surpassed her opponent late Sunday evening, cheers erupted at her campaign headquarters, accompanied by shouts of “victory.” With a strained voice, she commended her fellow citizens for safeguarding Moldova and delivering “a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books.” Subsequently, switching to Russian, she declared: “I have heard your voice – both those who supported me and those who voted for Mr. Stoianoglo. In our choice for a dignified future, no-one lost… we need to stand united.” Olga Rosca, Maia Sandu’s foreign policy adviser, informed the BBC of her pride in the election outcome. When questioned about any surprise regarding Stoianoglo’s success within Moldova itself, she responded that the votes cast both domestically and internationally should be considered as a unified whole: “We never divide people into Moldovans at home and expatriates – we see Moldovans as one family.” Rosca noted that with upcoming elections next year, the president had “clearly indicated she has heard the mood for change.” She added that on multiple occasions between the two presidential votes, Sandu had stated that “the fight against corruption must be intensified and justice reform must be accelerated – she’s committed to this work.” The definitive election result is scheduled to be announced on Monday. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, extended her congratulations to Sandu, remarking that “it takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you’ve faced in this election.” Her message on X further stated, “I’m glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people.” When casting his vote, Alexandr Stoianoglo had pledged to serve as an “apolitical president” and indicated that he had voted for “a Moldova that should develop in harmony with both the West and the East.” Stoianoglo achieved notable support in rural regions and the southern part of the country, whereas Sandu led in urban centers and among younger voters. Following her vote, Sandu issued a caution regarding “thieves” who aimed to purchase votes and the nation itself. Stanislav Secrieru, the presidential national security adviser, stated that Russia had arranged buses and substantial charter flights to transport voters to polling places. He also mentioned that bomb threats had temporarily interrupted voting in Moldova, as well as at UK polling stations in Liverpool and Northampton, and in Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern, Germany. Moldova, which was a Soviet republic for 51 years, is situated between Ukraine and Romania and ranks among Europe’s most impoverished nations. It has a population of 2.5 million, with an additional 1.2 million expatriates. Moldovan authorities have consistently cautioned that Ilan Shor, a fugitive oligarch, has allegedly expended $39 million (£30 million) in an attempt to influence the election on behalf of Moscow, distributing payments to 138,000 Moldovans. Shor, who resides in Moscow, refutes any misconduct but did offer monetary payments to individuals willing to support his advocacy for a “firm No” to the EU. Political analysts and public figures had cautioned that a triumph by Stoianoglo could fundamentally alter the political environment in the Danube and Black Sea region, not due to him being a “Trojan horse,” but because Russia has lent its significant support to him. Lines formed at polling stations in Moscow, Italy, and among voters from Transnistria, a predominantly Russian-speaking breakaway region. These voters were required to traverse the River Dniester to enter Moldovan-controlled territory to cast their ballots. Transnistria hosts a Russian military installation and a substantial arms depot. The election commission of Moldova stated its awareness of reports concerning organized and unlawful transportation of voters via air and land in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, and urged the public to report any additional infractions. Despite Sandu’s comfortable victory in the initial round of voting, several candidates subsequently endorsed Stoianoglo, though the candidate who finished third declined to support either contender. The first round of the election occurred concurrently with a closely contested referendum concerning a constitutional amendment that would enshrine the commitment to join the EU. Ultimately, the referendum passed by a very narrow margin in favor, and Maia Sandu asserted that there was clear evidence of efforts to purchase 300,000 votes.