Pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in Moldova’s presidential election, preliminary results have shown, marking an important move for the country’s EU aspirations and a clear rebuke to Moscow. The runoff election was seen as a crucial indicator of whether the country’s long-term geopolitical alignment will be with Russia or Europe, The Guardian reports.
With 98% of the votes counted, Sandu led with 54.35%, the Central Election Commission announced.
Early results showed that the large Moldovan diaspora, which makes up about 20% of the electorate, had voted overwhelmingly for Sandu. The result will be an important boost for Sandu and her long-term EU agenda.
In her victory speech, delivered after almost all the votes had been counted, Sandu said she had heard the voices of her supporters and her opponent, Stoianoglo. She said that her primary goal for the coming years will be to serve as president for all citizens.
“Today, dear Moldovans, you have taught a lesson about democracy, worthy of being written in the history books… Freedom, truth and justice have triumphed,” she said.