Guardian

Moldovans go to polls to decide whether future lies with Russia or the west

Wired

The Disinformation Warning Coming From the Edge of Europe

Moldova accuses Russia of meddling ahead of its elections and an EU referendum

Independent

Moldova votes in election and EU referendum amid alleged Russian interference

Moldova's pro-EU incumbent Pres. Maia Sandu claimed victory in Sunday's presidential election, defeating Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general backed by the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party.

EuroNews

With nearly all ballots counted in the runoff election, Sandu secured 55% of the vote, while Stoianoglo received 45%, according to the Central Electoral Commission.

Al Jazeera

Over 80% of Moldovans living abroad voted for Sandu — reportedly tipping the results of the election in her favor — as she lost on home turf with 48.8% of the vote compared to Stoianoglo's 51.2%.

Reuters

In a TV address Monday, Sandu hailed her victory as a "lesson in democracy" and said she would be a president for all Moldovans, who she thanked for their "commitment to a dignified future."

Sandu's win comes after a referendum she initiated asking Moldovans whether they supported EU integration, which was held alongside the first round of the presidential elections, passed by a razor-thin majority Oct. 20.

Moldovan authorities had previously warned that Ilan Shor, the Moscow-based fugitive Moldovan oligarch, paid $39M to about 138K Moldovans to buy the election for Russia. Shor denied the allegations.

BBC News

Guardian #4439

Wired #2521

NPR #9171

Independent #5134

Moldova's pro-EU incumbent Pres. Maia Sandu claimed victory at Sunday's presidential election, defeating Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general backed by the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party.

EuroNews #

With nearly all of the ballots counted in the runoff election, Sandu secured 55% of the vote, while Stoianoglo received 45%, according to the Central Electoral Commission.

Al Jazeera #3870

Over 80% of Moldovans living abroad voted for Sandu — reportedly tipping the results of the election in her favor — as she won 48.8% of the votes compared to Stoianoglo's 51.2% on the home turf.

Reuters #

CNN #

Sandu's win comes after a referendum she initiated — held alongside the first round of the presidential elections — asking Moldovans whether they supported EU integration was passed by a razor-thin majority on Oct. 20.

Guardian #

Moldovan authorities had previously warned that  Ilan Shor, the Moscow-based fugitive Moldovan oligarch, paid $39M to about 138K Moldovans to buy the election for Russia. Shor denies the allegations.

BBC News #

Sandu's win marks a pivotal moment in a decades-long struggle between Russia and the EU over Moldova's geopolitical alignment. She will serve as president for all Moldovans, irrespective of their voting choice, who, despite Moscow's massive interference in the vote through vote-buying and intimidation, thwarted Russia's attempt to undermine the country's democratic institutions and showed that nothing can stand in the way of the people's power when they speak through their vote.

The Conversation

The Conversation #

Maia Sandu’s victory in second round of Moldovan election show’s limits to Moscow’s meddling

RFI #

Pro-European President Maia Sandu: force for change in Moldova

Claims of Stoianoglo being pro-Kremlin and Russia's election interference in Moldova are highly exaggerated. Sunday's results point to Moldova's deep polarisation. While the country's urban areas favor EU membership, rural areas oppose joining the bloc. Instead of looking out for the interests of ordinary Moldovans and resetting relations with Moscow, she used divisive politics and embraced the West to remain in power. Sandu's victory wouldn't ease geopolitical tensions but amplify it.

Moldovans vote in tense presidential run-off amid Russian meddling claims

Bloomberg.com

Bloomberg.com #

Putin Lost A Round In Moldova The Fight Far From Ove

There's a 70.6% chance that Moldova will be part of the EU in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus2

EU membership in 2050?

DANIEL MIHAILESCU/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

Moldova: President Maia Sandu Wins Second Term

Russia

Moldova

Europe

Politics

This marks a pivotal moment in the decades-long struggle between Russia and the EU over Moldova's geopolitical alignment. Despite massive election interference by Russia, Moldovans had their voices heard and once again proved that nothing can stand in the way of the people's power when they vote.

Claims about Russian election interference were highly exaggerated. All this election proves is that there's deep polarization in Moldova between the country's urban and rural voters. Sandu will ignore the desire of many voters who want her to renew relations with Moscow, so geopolitical tensions will continue to rise.

Moldova: Pres. Sandu Wins Second Term

Moldova: PresidentPres. Maia Sandu Wins Second Term

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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