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Pro-EU leader on course to win tight Moldovan vote amid claims of Kremlin meddling Pro-EU leader claims Moldova victory despite alleged Russian meddling
(about 1 hour later)
Maia Sandu has spearheaded Moldova's drive into talks on membership with the EU Maia Sandu said the government would now have to prepare for fresh elections next year and preserve democracy
Moldova's pro-EU president Maia Sandu appears on course for a second term after a pivotal presidential election run-off seen as a choice between Europe and Russia. Moldova's pro-EU President Maia Sandu has claimed a second term after a tense election run-off seen as a choice between Europe and Russia.
Her rival Alexandr Stoianoglo had taken an early lead. Backed by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, he had promised a closer relationship with Moscow. With most preliminary results counted, Sandu was leading with almost 55% of the vote, and in a late-night speech she promised to be president for all Moldovans.
But with more than 97% of the preliminary results counted, the Central Election Commission said Sandu had moved ahead with 54% of the vote, and with results still coming in from the expat vote she was expected to cement her lead. Her rival Alexandr Stoianoglo, who was backed by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, had promised a closer relationship with Moscow.
During the vote, the president's national security adviser said there had been "massive interference" from Russia in Moldova's electoral process that had "high potential to distort the outcome".During the vote, the president's national security adviser said there had been "massive interference" from Russia in Moldova's electoral process that had "high potential to distort the outcome".
Russia had already denied meddling in the vote, which came a week after another key Eastern European election in Georgia, whose president said it had been a "Russian special operation".Russia had already denied meddling in the vote, which came a week after another key Eastern European election in Georgia, whose president said it had been a "Russian special operation".
As polls closed, both Maia Sandu and her rival thanked voters, with Stoianoglu speaking in Russian as well as Romanian. Although Romanian is Moldova's main language, Russian is widely spoken because of its Soviet past. Stoianoglo, who was fired as prosecutor general by Sandu, has denied being pro-Kremlin.
Alexandr Stoianoglo, who was fired as prosecutor general by Sandu, has denied being pro-Kremlin. As polls closed, both Maia Sandu, 52, and her rival thanked voters, with Stoianoglo speaking in Russian as well as Romanian. Although Romanian is Moldova's main language, Russian is widely spoken because of its Soviet past.
Voting ended in Moldova at 21:00 (19:00 GMT), with a 54% turnout higher than four years ago, and especially high among expat voters at polling stations abroad.Voting ended in Moldova at 21:00 (19:00 GMT), with a 54% turnout higher than four years ago, and especially high among expat voters at polling stations abroad.
Stoianoglu won the vote in Moldova itself with more than 51%, according to the preliminary results, but Sandu was far ahead in the capital Chisinau, and was completely dominant among expat voters. Stoianoglo took an early lead and won the vote in Moldova itself with more than 51%, according to the preliminary results. Sandu was far ahead in the capital Chisinau, and was completely dominant among expat voters.
As she overtook her challenger, there was cheering at her campaign headquarters and chants of "victory". As she overtook her challenger late on Sunday night, there was cheering at her campaign headquarters and chants of "victory".
With a hoarse voice she gave a late-night statement promising to be president for all Moldovans. She praised her compatriots for giving "a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books". In a hoarse voice she praised her compatriots for saving Moldova and giving "a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books".
"Today, you have saved Moldova. In our choice for a dignified future, no-one lost," she added. Then, moving into Russian, she said: "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."
Her lead was expected to become even clearer once results came through from the US, as well as the EU. The final result will be declared on Monday. Maia Sandu’s foreign policy adviser, Olga Rosca, told the BBC she was proud of the result.
Casting his ballot, he promised to be an "apolitical president" for everyone, telling reporters he had voted for "a Moldova that should develop in harmony with both the West and the East". Asked whether she was surprised that Stoianoglo had won in Moldova itself, she said the vote in Moldova and abroad should be seen as one and the same: “We never divide people into Moldovans at home and expatriates - we see Moldovans as one family.”
Stoianoglu polled particularly well in rural areas and the south, while Sandu was ahead in the cities and abroad, Moldovan media reported. With elections coming next year she said the president had “clearly indicated she has heard the mood for change. On several occasions between the [two presidential] votes she said the fight against corruption must be intensified and justice reform must be accelerated – she’s committed to this work”.
The final result will be declared on Monday.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sandu, saying "it takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you've faced in this election.
"I'm glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people," her message on X said.
Casting his ballot, Alexandr Stoianoglo had promised to be an "apolitical president", and that he had voted for "a Moldova that should develop in harmony with both the West and the East".
Stoianoglo polled particularly well in rural areas and the south, while Sandu was ahead in the cities and with young voters.
Alexandr Stoianoglo has denied being a pro-Kremlin candidateAlexandr Stoianoglo has denied being a pro-Kremlin candidate
Sandu appealed after casting her ballot for Moldovans to preserve their independence, warning of "thieves" who sought to buy their vote and their country. After casting her ballot, Sandu had warned of "thieves" who sought to buy their vote and their country.
Presidential national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru said Russia had organised buses and large charter flights to bring voters to polling stations.Presidential national security adviser Stanislav Secrieru said Russia had organised buses and large charter flights to bring voters to polling stations.
Bomb scares had briefly disrupted voting in Moldova, at UK polling stations in Liverpool and Northampton and at Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern in Germany, he added.Bomb scares had briefly disrupted voting in Moldova, at UK polling stations in Liverpool and Northampton and at Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern in Germany, he added.
Moldovan expats queued to vote in big numbers in Moscow and many other citiesMoldovan expats queued to vote in big numbers in Moscow and many other cities
A Soviet republic for 51 years, Moldova is flanked by Ukraine and Romania and one of Europe's poorest countries. It has a population of 2.5 million and an expat population of 1.2 million.A Soviet republic for 51 years, Moldova is flanked by Ukraine and Romania and one of Europe's poorest countries. It has a population of 2.5 million and an expat population of 1.2 million.
Moldova's authorities have long warned that a fugitive oligarch called Ilan Shor has spent $39m (£30m) trying to buy the election for Moscow with handouts to 138,000 Moldovans.Moldova's authorities have long warned that a fugitive oligarch called Ilan Shor has spent $39m (£30m) trying to buy the election for Moscow with handouts to 138,000 Moldovans.
Shor, who is based in Moscow, denies wrongdoing but did promise cash payments to anyone prepared to back his call for a "firm No" to the EU.Shor, who is based in Moscow, denies wrongdoing but did promise cash payments to anyone prepared to back his call for a "firm No" to the EU.
Commentators and politicians had warned that a Stoianoglu victory could radically change the political landscape in the Danube and Black Sea region, not because he was some kind of "Trojan horse", but rather because Russia has thrown its weight behind him. Commentators and politicians had warned that a Stoianoglo victory could radically change the political landscape in the Danube and Black Sea region, not because he was some kind of "Trojan horse", but rather because Russia has thrown its weight behind him.
There were queues at polling stations in Moscow, Italy and among voters from a mainly Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transnistria, who had to cross the River Dniester into Moldovan-controlled territory to vote. Transnistria is home to a Russian military base and a huge arms depot.There were queues at polling stations in Moscow, Italy and among voters from a mainly Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transnistria, who had to cross the River Dniester into Moldovan-controlled territory to vote. Transnistria is home to a Russian military base and a huge arms depot.
Moldova's election commission said it was aware of reports of organised and illegal transports of voters by air and land in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey, and appealed to the public to report further violations.Moldova's election commission said it was aware of reports of organised and illegal transports of voters by air and land in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey, and appealed to the public to report further violations.
Although Sandu had easily won the first round of the vote, several candidates swung behind Stoianoglo, although the third-placed candidate refused to back either of the two.Although Sandu had easily won the first round of the vote, several candidates swung behind Stoianoglo, although the third-placed candidate refused to back either of the two.
The first round coincided with a nail-biting referendum on backing a change to the constitution embracing the commitment to join the EU.The first round coincided with a nail-biting referendum on backing a change to the constitution embracing the commitment to join the EU.
In the end the vote passed by a tiny margin in favour, and Maia Sandu said there had been clear evidence of attempts to buy 300,000 votes.In the end the vote passed by a tiny margin in favour, and Maia Sandu said there had been clear evidence of attempts to buy 300,000 votes.