The president of Moldova will face the pro-Russian candidate Stoianoglo in the second round

Sandu denounces “an unprecedented attack” and assures that “criminal groups intended to buy 300,000 votes”

Oct. 21 () –

The president of Moldova and candidate for reelection, the pro-European Maia Sandu, has been the candidate with the most votes in the presidential elections held this Sunday, winning 38.8 percent of the support, but she will have to face the pro-Russian in the second round Alexandr Stoianoglo on November 3, after none of the candidates had obtained the 50 percent of the votes necessary to obtain the position in the first round.

Stoianoglo, which has run in the elections under the acronym of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), a formation led by the opposition Igor Dodon – president of the country between 2016 and 2020 -, has obtained 28 .3 percent of the ballots. The former mayor of the city of Balti Renato Usatti has come in third place with 13.7 percent, according to preliminary results published by the Moldovan Central Electoral Commission, which correspond to 93 percent of the count.

COMPLAINTS FROM THE MANDATORY

Sandu has denounced that the country “has suffered an unprecedented attack against freedom and democracy”, both this Sunday, the date of the presidential elections and a referendum on membership in the European Union, and “in recent months.” “We are waiting for the final results and we will respond with firm decisions,” he warned.

“Criminal groups, in collaboration with foreign forces hostile to our national interests, have attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies and propaganda, using the most shameful means to keep our nation trapped in uncertainty and instability” , he said.

The president has assured that she has “clear evidence” that “these criminal groups” intended to buy 300,000 votes, which she described as “fraud on an unprecedented scale.” “Their objective was to undermine the democratic process. Their intention is to sow fear and panic in society. We will not give up in the defense of democracy and freedom,” he expressed.

THE ‘NO’ WINS IN THE REFERENDUM FOR ACCESSION TO THE EU

In addition, 52.9 percent of the population has voted against the country’s entry into the European Union, which, if confirmed, represents a major setback for Sandu. For their part, 47.1 percent of Moldovans have said ‘yes’ to making changes to the Constitution with a view to joining the community bloc.

With the notable difference of the referendum, the day has registered a participation rate of 51.6 percent, thus reaching almost nine percentage points compared to the last presidential elections, held in 2020, when 42.7 percent was registered.

Moldova submitted its application to join the EU on March 3, 2023 and three months later the community bloc opened formal negotiations. The pro-Russian opposition responded to the Government’s move with the creation of a coalition called Victoria whose main purpose was to denounce accession to the EU.