Presidential elections in Moldova – who won, results

– Moldovayou won. Today you taught a lesson in democracy that should be written down in history books, she said Maia Sandu on the night from Sunday to Monday, when the election results were still incomplete, giving her an advantage of 54%. in the second round of the presidential elections. This is data from 98 percent. electoral commissions. – Today you saved Moldova – said Sandu, addressing her voters. – Nobody lost – she assured, addressing the supporters of her opponent, Alexander Stoianoglo.

– I promise that I will be the president of all of you. We may have different views, speak different languages, but we all want peace, mutual understanding and a good life for our children. This is my goal for Moldova in the coming years, said Sandu.

She admitted that changes were needed in the country. – I fully understand that this vote was driven by the need for change – change that society is waiting for. Know that I heard all voices, including the critical ones, she said.

First, votes from small commissions, villages and eastern foreign commissions are counted. Only at the very end are the votes of the diaspora from Western countries counted, where a record turnout was recorded (over 320,000 votes). The diaspora in this part of the world overwhelmingly supports pro-European forces. In the first round of elections, about 70 percent of voters abroad voted for Sandu.

She also referred to interference in the electoral process, which, according to the authorities in Chisinau, she was responsible for Russia. – Moldova was attacked in a way unprecedented in European history – with the use of dirty money, illegal vote buying, hostile interference in the electoral process – said Sandu.

Polling stations were open to voters until 21 (20 in Poland).

Sandu, who is fighting for re-election and is supported by the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), points to Moldova's pursuit of joining the European Union and closer contacts with the West as the main goals of her government.

Stoianoglo entered the elections as the candidate of the pro-Russian socialist party. During the campaign, Stoianoglo positioned himself as a pro-European candidate, while appealing for good relations with Russia. However, he did not support the referendum promoted by Sandu on including European integration in the constitution, claiming that it was the president's “political technology”.

Sandu called Stoianoglo a Russian “Trojan horse”, and most experts believe that in the current campaign Stoianoglo is “Moscow's candidate”. He himself claims that he is apolitical and wants to be “the president of everyone.”

Putting her vote into the ballot box on Sunday, Sandu said she believed that “citizens will make a good choice for the country.” She also warned against thieves who “want to buy the country”, referring to Russia's interference in the electoral process.

– Thieves want to buy our vote, thieves want to buy our country, but the strength of the nation is infinitely greater than any of their deceptions. Moldova's strength is in each of you, she said while voting in Chisinau.

– It is very important that everyone mobilizes and votes. Our vote is able to overcome electoral fraud, said the head of the pro-Western government, Dorin Recean. He emphasized that the vote was taking place against the background of a fraud campaign that had been prepared for several months.

Alexander Stoianoglo called for voting “for a free, stable and thriving Moldova” that respects all its citizens. He also assured that he “condemns corruption and electoral fraud”, which he has not done before, despite reports of mass cases of vote buying by pro-Russian forces.

Igor Dodon, leader of the socialists, former president and supporter of the policy of rapprochement with Russia, spoke of a “very good chance for change after four years of experiments” and a return to “normality”.

The Moldovan pro-European authorities are alarming that in connection with the presidential elections and the referendum, an unprecedented campaign of electoral bribery is taking place in the country, organized by the fugitive oligarch Ilan Sor, working in cooperation with Moscow. Police data indicate that Russia allocated several dozen million dollars to interfere in the Moldovan elections. Only in September and October, the country was supposed to receive $39 million. In the so-called The Sora network, which aims to recruit people and buy votes, was said to have at least 130,000 people involved. people.

After the first round of elections, Sandu stated that the purpose of this “attack on democracy” was to bribe 300,000 people. voters.

Police conduct searches and investigative operations daily in an attempt to dismantle the Sora network. At least 3.5 million lei (approx. PLN 800,000) in fines have already been imposed for passive electoral corruption.

In addition, the authorities talk about other activities of Moscow, such as disinformation campaigns, voter intimidation, threatening e-mails and phone calls, as well as the expected organized transport of voters from the separatist Transnistria. On Saturday, information appeared about “free transport” of Moldovan citizens from Moscow via Turkey.