Second Round Expected: Latest Updates from Moldova

Presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU membership have taken place in Moldova. According to preliminary data, the overall voter turnout was 51.41%.

With 98% of the ballots processed, the votes were distributed as follows:

• Maia Sandu - 41.92%
• Alexandr Stoianoglo - 26.35%
• Renato Usatîi - 13.73%
• Irina Vlah - 5.46%
• Victoria Furtuna - 4.52%
• Vasili Tărlev - 3.23%

A second round of presidential elections will take place on November 3. According to the latest data from Moldova's electoral commission, the votes in favor of European integration have surpassed those against, with 98.33% of ballots counted.

In favor: 730,832 votes or 50.03%
Against: 730,088 votes or 49.97%

It is notable that 37.44% of residents in Transnistria voted in favor of Moldova's EU membership, while 94.84% of voters in the Gagauzia autonomous region voted against it.

“Moldova has faced unprecedented assaults on freedom and democracy in our country, both today and in recent months. Criminal groups collaborating with foreign powers hostile to our national interests have attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies, and propaganda, using the most disgraceful means to keep our nation in a trap of uncertainty and instability. We have clear evidence that these criminal groups intended to buy the votes of 300,000 voters, marking an unprecedented scale of fraud. Their goal was to undermine the democratic process. Their aim is to instill fear and panic within society. We will not back down from defending democracy and freedom. We are awaiting the final results and will make firm decisions,” wrote Moldovan President Maia Sandu.