Pro-Western President Maya Sandu won the second round of the presidential elections in Moldova. With 98% of the votes counted, Sandu won 54% of the vote against 45% for opposition candidate Alexandre Stoyanovoglo.
Like last week's parliamentary elections in Georgia, the vote in Moldova on 3 November was held amid reports of Russian interference.
"Moldova, you are the winner! Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy worthy of being written in the history books.... freedom, truth and justice have prevailed," Sandu said, announcing his victory.
"Moldova is under unprecedented attack in the history of Europe. Dirty money, illegal vote-buying, participation in the electoral process of hostile forces from abroad and of criminal groups, lies, incitement of hatred and fear in our society. Our people united and freedom and citizens won," the Moldovan President added.
She received congratulations for her victory from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"It takes rare strength to overcome the challenges you faced in these elections. I am happy to continue working with you for the European future of Moldova and its people," Von der Leyen wrote on the social network X.
Although Sandu won the ballot, with 88% of the votes counted, Stoyanovoglo - from the pro-Russian Socialist Party - had a small lead over the incumbent president. However, the reversal was not a surprise, as the ruling party expected significant support from Moldovans living abroad. Sandu expressed gratitude to the diaspora.
"Diaspora, you are surprising! Our diaspora today has given us another lesson from which each of us should learn. Our Moldovans, who are far away, have shown us that Moldova beats in their chests as strongly as in our chests," the Moldovan president said.
Moldovan authorities reported "attacks, provocations and attempts at destabilisation" during the second round.
Police said they were investigating Russia's alleged use of "organised transport" to Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey to allow people living in Russia to vote at Moldovan missions in those countries.
Cyberattacks and false bomb threats also targeted voting operations outside the country, authorities said.
The country's Central Election Commission said turnout stood at 54.28%, with 1,697,047 people going to the polls. | BGNES
