Maia Sandu has been called the victor of the presidential election in Moldova, defeating pro-Russian opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo over the weekend.
Sandu, a former World Bank economist, was first elected as president of Moldova in 2020 and sought re-election in the vote scheduled for October 20.
When no candidate gained 50 per cent of the vote, a run-off election between Sandu and Stoianoglo was scheduled for November 3.
Ninety-five per cent of the votes have been counted, and Sandu has won 54 per cent of the vote, to Stoianoglo’s 46 per cent.
Sandu, who founded the centre-right, liberal Party of Action and Solidarity in 2016, is the first president of Moldova to win a second presidential term by popular vote.
Moldova is a small, poor, agricultural country that borders Ukraine, with a population of less than 3 million people. Posting on X, Sandu said she is proud to serve her country.
“Moldova, today you are victorious. Together, we’ve shown the strength of our unity, democracy, and commitment to a dignified future,” Sandu said.
“Thank you, dear Moldovans, at home and abroad. Walk with pride—you are freedom, hope, and resilience.”
Moldova, today you are victorious. Together, we’ve shown the strength of our unity, democracy, and commitment to a dignified future.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) November 3, 2024
Thank you, dear Moldovans, at home and abroad. Walk with pride—you are freedom, hope, and resilience. I am proud to serve you all. pic.twitter.com/yGGlrjAMEC
This year, Sandu began negotiation talks with the European Union (EU) for Moldova to become a member of the bloc. Moldova applied for member status soon after Russia began its invasion of Moldova’s neighbouring country, Ukraine. In June 2022, Moldova was granted formal candidate status for the EU.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU, wrote on X to congratulate Sandu.
“It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you’ve faced in this election,” von der Leyen said.
“I’m glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people.”
In a referendum held on October 20, the same day as the presidential election, Moldova voted in favour of joining the EU by just 0.7 per cent.
Congratulations, dear @sandumaiamd, on your victory tonight.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 3, 2024
It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you’ve faced in this election.
I’m glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people. pic.twitter.com/YcCurwhpCq
‘Massive interference by Russia’
Moldova’s run-off election was not without controversy: Sandu and her government have accused Russia of “massive interference” in an attempt to block Sandu from being elected.
Stanislav Secrieru, Sandu’s national security advisor, posted a thread on X levelling the allegations at the Kremlin.
“We’re seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process as Moldovans vote in the presidential runoff today—an effort with high potential to distort the outcome. Authorities are on high alert,” Secrieru wrote.
We’re seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process as Moldovans vote in the presidential runoff today—an effort with high potential to distort the outcome. Authorities are on high alert. Thread with instances of meddling, which I'll be updating in real time ⬇️
— Stanislav Secrieru (@StasSecrieru) November 3, 2024
At the October 20 election, the Sandu government accused pro-Russian Moldovan politician Ilan Shor of attempting to buy 300,000 votes. This reflects 10 per cent of the vote in the country, with a population of 3 million. Shor denied the allegation.
One of the recent allegations from the weekend involved the “organised voter transportation” of Moldovan voters from the Transnistrian region, a breakaway, pro-Russian region in Moldova. Russia is also accused of organising and commissioning buses and charter flights to transport voters in Russia to polling stations in Azerbaijan, Turkey and Belarus.
As this is illegal, police are investigating this accusation, according to reports.
A video of Moldovan nationals holding up their passports on a packed chartered flight was shared by Ukrainian newspaper The Kyiv Post, suggesting the expats were flown home to cast their vote in the election.
The government of Moldova is reporting election fraud at a historic and unprecedented level, likely at the behest of Russia.
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) November 3, 2024
Not only busses but entire chartered planes full of Moldovan passport holders from all over the world are reportedly landing in Chisinau to vote for the… pic.twitter.com/x3YTf2Wb16
There were also several bomb threats in voting stations across the UK and Germany, including Liverpool, Northampton, Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern. Sandu’s national security advisor Secrieru said British and German authorities are investigating the bomb threats.
Secrieru said “coordinated cyber attacks” were “targeting the connectivity of our national voter record system, disrupting links between polling stations domestically and abroad”.
“Our cybersecurity teams are working to counter these threats and ensure system continuity,” Secrieru said.
Secrieru said despite the “unprecedented interference”, democracy has prevailed, and “Moldova stands united”.