Moldova’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu has secured a second term following a tightly contested election run-off, viewed as a pivotal choice between European integration and alignment with Russia.
With the majority of votes counted, Sandu emerged victorious with 55% support. In a late-night address, she pledged to serve all Moldovans as president. Her opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, supported by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, had advocated for closer ties with Moscow.
Earlier in the day, Sandu’s national security adviser reported “massive interference” from Russia, suggesting it could have affected the election’s outcome. Russia denied any involvement, as it did following last week’s contentious election in Georgia, which the Georgian president called a “Russian special operation.”
Stoianoglo, previously dismissed by Sandu as prosecutor general, has denied being pro-Kremlin. Speaking after polls closed, both Sandu, 52, and Stoianoglo thanked voters, with Stoianoglo addressing them in both Russian and Romanian. While Romanian is Moldova’s primary language, Russian remains widely spoken due to Moldova’s Soviet-era history.
Voter turnout reached 54%, notably high among expatriates. Stoianoglo initially led the vote within Moldova itself, securing over 51%, but Sandu dominated in the capital, Chisinau, and had overwhelming support among Moldovans voting abroad.
As Sandu pulled ahead late on Sunday, her campaign headquarters erupted in celebration, with supporters chanting “victory.” In her speech, she praised Moldovans for “saving the country” and providing a “lesson in democracy, worthy of history books.” Speaking briefly in Russian, she added, “In our choice for a dignified future, no one lost… we must stand united.”
Sandu’s foreign policy adviser, Olga Rosca, expressed pride in the result. When asked about Stoianoglo’s success within Moldova, Rosca emphasized unity, saying, “We see all Moldovans as one family, at home and abroad.”
With parliamentary elections approaching, Rosca noted Sandu’s commitment to tackling corruption and advancing justice reforms, echoing her promise to act on the nation’s call for change.
The final election results are expected on Monday. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended her congratulations, commending Sandu for her resilience in overcoming electoral challenges. “I’m glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people,” she wrote on social media platform X.
Casting his vote, Stoianoglo had pledged to be an “apolitical president” and spoke of a Moldova “developing in harmony with both the West and the East.” Stoianoglo garnered strong support in rural areas and the southern regions, while Sandu held a lead in urban centers and with younger voters.
