Moldova's pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu has claimed victory in a closely contested presidential election held on Sunday. She faced off against Alexandr Stoianoglo, a candidate supported by the traditionally pro-Russian Socialist Party.

With 98% of the votes counted, Sandu secured 54.35% of the ballots, according to the Central Election Commission. This election was marred by allegations of interference, which Russia has denied.

Sandu's win is viewed by her supporters as a strong endorsement of her pro-Western agenda, which aims to steer Moldova away from Russian influence and towards European Union membership. The 52-year-old former World Bank adviser has focused on this direction during her presidency.

However, Stoianoglo's significant support in various regions of the country indicates that Sandu’s party will face challenges in the upcoming parliamentary elections next summer, which will shape the government’s future.

Stoianoglo presented himself as a supporter of EU integration but also advocated for maintaining ties with Russia for national interests. Sandu countered this by accusing him of being a Kremlin sympathizer, a claim Stoianoglo firmly rejected.

Moldova, a predominantly agricultural nation, has oscillated between pro-Russian and pro-Western policies since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The situation has garnered increased attention since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Following her victory, Sandu addressed her supporters in a speech where she acknowledged the concerns of those who voted against her. "Moldova, you are victorious! … In our choice for a dignified future, no one lost," she said, committing to represent all citizens, including those who supported Stoianoglo.

This election also saw a record number of expatriate voters, the highest since the diaspora was allowed to participate in 2010. While Sandu faced a narrow defeat at home with 48.8% of the vote compared to Stoianoglo's 51.2%, she was on track to win over 80% of the expatriate vote, which was still being counted.

The turnout from the diaspora significantly shifted the electoral balance, according to political analyst Ruslan Rokhov.

Claims of Election Interference: On election day, Sandu’s national security adviser, Stanislav Secrieru, accused Russia of extensive interference, alleging that this was part of a broader effort to manipulate the election results. He cited incidents involving voters being transported to polling stations, cyberattacks, and bomb threats reported at polling locations abroad.

There was no immediate response from Moscow, which has consistently denied claims of electoral meddling. Secrieru highlighted these allegations in his social media posts, emphasizing concerns about attempts to distort the election’s outcome.

Sandu has previously indicated that Russian interference had impacted the first round of voting held on October 20, with claims of a vote-buying scheme orchestrated by fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, who resides in Russia.

The recent election serves as a pivotal moment for Moldova, as the nation grapples with economic challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic and the repercussions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to a significant influx of refugees and soaring inflation.

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