Europe Moldova: Presidential election and EU referendum over

The Republic of Moldova, torn between the West and Russia, has set the course for its future in a presidential election and an EU referendum. After a quiet process and high turnout, the polling stations closed at 9 p.m. local time (8 p.m. CEST). According to the electoral commission in the capital Chisinau, the counting of votes began in the country of 2.5 million inhabitants, which, like neighboring Ukraine, is a candidate for EU membership.

President Maia Sandu from the pro-Western Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) is the favorite to win a second term in office in the neighboring country of EU member Romania. As she has ten rivals, a run-off election in two weeks with the second-placed candidate is considered likely.

According to pre-election polls, the 52-year-old head of state had an approval rating of around 36%. Former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo came in second place as the candidate of the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian ex-president Igor Dodon.

SDA