Moldova: President Sandu Wins Second Term

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Facts

  • 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.[1]
  • With nearly all ballots counted in the runoff election, Sandu secured around 55% of the vote, while Stoianoglo received approximately 45%, according to the Central Electoral Commission.[2]
  • Over 80% of Moldovans living abroad voted for Sandu — reportedly tipping the results of the election in her favor — as she lost among those residing in Moldova by 48.8% of the vote compared to Stoianoglo's 51.2%.[3]
  • 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.'[4][5]
  • 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 election, and passed by a razor-thin majority on Oct. 20.[6]
  • 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.[7][1]

Sources: [1]Euronews, [2]Al Jazeera, [3]Reuters, [4]CNN, [5]X, [6]Guardian and [7]BBC News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by The Conversation and RFI. 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 electorate's power when they vote.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Al Jazeera and Bloomberg. Claims about Russian election interference have been 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.

Predictions