Moldovans appear to have rejected the former Soviet republic’s plan to add the goal of joining the European Union to its constitution, with 70% of the vote in the country's referendum revealed Sunday night.
According to the Election Commission, 55% of voters in a partial count said “no” to the proposal, while nearly 45% said “yes.”
Moldova, a largely agricultural country with a population of about 2.5 million, has sought to sever ties with Moscow and move closer to the EU since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The former Soviet republic began EU accession negotiations in June.
A survey ahead of the referendum showed that around 55% of Moldovans supported the move, while 34% opposed it.
Turnout was nearly 50%, far exceeding the 33% required for the results to be valid.
Pro-Russian parties called on people to vote “no” or boycott the vote altogether.
Incumbent President Maia Sandu says EU membership will help improve the quality of life in one of Europe’s poorest countries. Image: Michele Tantussi/AFP/Getty Images
Sandu narrowly leads in presidential election
Meanwhile, incumbent Maia Sandu is nearing a second term in office with a narrow lead over her main rival thanks to partial presidential election results.
The results suggest Sandu received 35% of the vote and is likely to face her closest rival, Alexandre Stoianoglo, in the second round. So far, it has exceeded expectations by 29%.
Voter turnout in the presidential election exceeded 51%.
Who else is vying for the presidency?
The pro-Western Sandu ran against 10 other presidential candidates, including some who advocate close ties with Russia.
The 52-year-old was the clear favorite to win, but recent polls show his approval rating hovers around 36%.
Former prosecutor Stoianoglo (57), who is supported by the pro-Russian Socialist Party, received just 9% of the votes before the vote.
According to an opinion poll conducted before the election, Renato Usati, 45, the former mayor of Balti, Moldova’s second largest city, was expected to receive 6.4% of the vote.
If no candidate wins a majority, voting will proceed to a second round on November 3.
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Moldova fears war with Russia
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Allegations of Russian interference hurt votes
Ahead of Sunday’s election, Moldovan authorities announced they had uncovered a large-scale vote-buying scheme that allegedly involved millions of dollars from Russia.
Police have accused fugitive Russian businessman and former politician Ilan Shor of trying to pay voters to support a particular presidential candidate and vote “no” in the EU referendum. .
Mr. Scholl was convicted in absentia of fraud last year, but is under Western sanctions and denies wrongdoing.
Police warned this week that up to a quarter of ballots could be contaminated with Russian cash.
Authorities also said they had revealed plans for hundreds of people to be taken to Russia to be trained to riot and cause “mass chaos” in Moldova.
Sandu has repeatedly warned of Russian efforts to interfere in the vote, claims that the Kremlin rejects.
The battle for Russian influence: from Ukraine to Georgia?
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mm, nm/rc (Reuters, AFP, DPA)
