CHISINAU (Reuters) – Early results from Sunday’s referendum in Moldova show that half of Moldovans voted “yes” on the country’s EU aspirations. This puts the nation on a path towards joining the single market, despite pressure from Russia. As of 0300 GMT on Monday, with 97.66% of the vote counted, 50% of Moldovans voted “yes”, according to the Central Election Commission’s website. However, the final result is still uncertain as earlier partial results showed 57% of voters were against joining the EU.
Analysts believe that the late counting of ballots from the pro-EU diaspora gave the “yes” campaign a last-minute boost. While not a significant victory, these results are favorable for the incumbent pro-EU president Maia Sandu, who was running for re-election. With 97.7% of the vote counted, Sandu had 41.91% of the vote.
The referendum and presidential election are seen as a test of Moldova’s willingness to maintain close ties with Russia or pursue EU membership. Sandu’s main rival, former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, received 26.32% of the vote, setting up a run-off election on Nov. 3.
In a statement to Moldovans, Sandu expressed concerns about potential election fraud, accusing criminal groups and foreign forces of attempting to buy off votes to undermine the democratic process. She vowed to respond decisively once the final results are announced.
The lead-up to the vote was marred by allegations of election meddling, with fugitive tycoon Ilan Shor accused of attempting to sway the results. Shor, who resides in Russia, denied any wrongdoing, while Moscow refuted claims of interference. Moldovan police also accused Shor of trying to influence voters through financial incentives.
Despite the challenges, the referendum results indicate a divided nation’s desire to pursue closer ties with the EU. Sandu’s leadership and commitment to democratic principles have resonated with many Moldovans, paving the way for a potential shift towards European integration.