EUROPE: MOLDOVA: Pro-EU President Sandu Re-Elected For Second Term

The Moldovan Election Commission confirmed that pro-Western President Maia Sandu was projected to secure another term after garnering 55% of the vote despite allegations of large-scale interference sponsored by the Kremlin through its proxies.

• The first round of the vote was a warning shot for Sandu and her political allies. Although the incumbent emerged as the front-runner after the first round, the combined support for her pro-Russian rivals exceeded her score. In addition, the referendum on whether to commit to EU membership held alongside the election returned a very close victory for the pro-EU camp.
• Sandu advanced to the run-off alongside Alexandr Stoianoglo, who was running with the endorsement of the pro-Russian Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM). As the voting was on, the authorities pointed to illegal organised voter transportation, cash-for-votes schemes, and other instances of gross interference inspired or conducted by Russia.
• The re-election of Sandu was possible thanks to the mobilisation of Moldovan diaspora (roughly 20% of all voters), with Stoianoglo winning among domestic voters. Likewise, the ballots cast by Moldovans living abroad helped tip the outcome of the EU referendum held alongside the first round of the election last month.