ballot
Moldova election: President Sandu is ahead
The last votes are still being counted in the presidential election in Moldova between Ukraine and EU member Romania. But the pro-Western President Sandu is overtaking her challenger.
In the runoff election for the presidency in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova, pro-European President Maia Sandu is now clearly ahead of her challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo after more than 97 percent of the votes were counted. The 52-year-old was celebrated as the winner by her campaign staff in the capital Chisinau. After counting more than 97 percent of the ballot papers, she received 53.53 percent of the votes, according to the election commission. The former Attorney General Stoianoglo had previously been in the lead.
As was the case two weeks ago, Sandu benefited primarily from the votes of Moldovans living abroad – especially in the EU – a large majority of whom have traditionally been on her side. According to the information, Stoianoglo came to around 46.47 percent. The 57-year-old ran for the Socialist Party of Moscow-friendly former President Igor Dodon. The gap is likely to widen – because of the ongoing counting abroad.
At more than 54 percent, voter turnout was higher than in the first round of voting on October 20th. Moldova has around 2.5 million inhabitants. Hundreds of thousands of Moldovans who live abroad – mainly in the EU – and in the breakaway Transnistria region controlled by Russia were also called to vote.
dpa
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.
