After the election in the Republic of Moldova, which is torn between the West and Russia, President Sandu makes serious accusations. Criminal forces are said to have manipulated the results.
In the presidential election in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova, pro-Western President Maia Sandu complained about an unprecedented attack on the vote by anti-democratic forces. Criminal groups, together with a foreign power, tried to destabilize the situation in Moldova. The country’s leadership, which is striving to join the EU, sees Russia as the greatest threat to the republic’s stability.
There is evidence that 300,000 votes had been bought, Sandu said during an appearance that night in the capital Chisinau. Tens of millions of euros were spent to spread lies and propaganda.
“Unprecedented attack on freedom”
“We are facing an unprecedented attack on freedom and democracy in our country,” Sandu was quoted as saying by local media. She wants to wait for the end result and then make decisions. The 52-year-old did not give any details. However, even before the vote, Moldovan security forces had uncovered voter bribery and pro-Russian disinformation in the country with around 2.5 million inhabitants, which lies between Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia, and the EU member state Romania.
Sandu is running for a second term. After counting more than 90 percent of the ballot papers, she missed an absolute majority with around 39 percent of the votes and would therefore have to go into a runoff election in two weeks. Her opponent will most likely be former Attorney General Alexandru Stoianoglo, who received around 28 percent of the vote and is running for the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian ex-President Igor Dodon. A total of eleven candidates competed.
Parallel to the presidential election, a referendum was held in the country that is an official candidate for EU membership. Sandu’s goal is to have the country’s EU course irrevocably enshrined in the constitution as a strategic goal. After more than 92 percent of the votes were counted, it appeared as if the majority had spoken out against the constitutional amendment. The opposite was expected.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
