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 Moldova portal |
Presidential elections were held in Moldova on 20 October 2024,[2] with a runoff held on 3 November.[3] Incumbent president Maia Sandu, who won the first round, and former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, who was the runner-up, contested the runoff, with Sandu winning a majority of votes and being re-elected for a second and final term.[4]
The Guardian described the election as a choice between the West and Russia, with Sandu representing the pro-European side and Stoianoglo the Russian-friendly side.[5] Renato Usatîi, who finished third in the first round, declined to back either candidate in the runoff.[6] Romanian Insider described Victoria Furtună and Vasile Tarlev, who came in fifth and sixth, as backed by the pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor.[7]
On the same day as the first round of the election, a narrow majority of Moldovans voted "yes" to add the desire for EU membership to the country's constitution. This was seen as a victory for Sandu who campaigned for the "yes" side, although the result was closer than expected, a fact Sandu blamed on alleged Russian-sponsored interference on the election, including vote buying organised by Russian-trained groups.[8] OSCE described international observers as assessing the first round's conduct "overwhelmingly positively", although OSCE also noted misuse of administrative resources and unbalanced media coverage in favor of the incumbent.[9] Analysts stated Sandu's runoff victory was seen as a major relief for the current government, which strongly backed her candidacy, her push for closer ties with the West, and her support for Moldova's path toward the European Union.[10]
- ^ a b "Modelul buletinelor de vot". a.cec.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldova announces presidential elections, EU accession referendum for October". TVP World. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Moldovans cast votes to choose president and decide on EU path as Russian interference claims spike". Associated Press. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova's Sandu takes lead in election with 92% of vote counted". Reuters.
- ^ "Moldovans go to polls to decide whether future lies with Russia or the west". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova's pro-EU leader in tight run-off as Russia accused of meddling". BBC. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ iuliane (21 October 2024). "Tight outcome in Moldova's pro-EU public referendum and presidential elections". Romania Insider. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Early results show 50% of Moldovans vote "yes" at referendum on EU aspirations". Reuters.
- ^ "Moldova, Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum, 20 October 2024: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions". www.osce.org. OSCE. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldovans cast votes to choose president and decide on EU path as Russian interference claims spike". Associated Press. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
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