Moldova re-elects pro-West president in vote marred by Russian meddling claims, bomb threats

Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud and intimidation in the European Union candidate country.

With nearly 99 per cent of votes counted in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday, Sandu had 55 per cent of the vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), compared to 45 per cent for Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who was backed by the pro-Russia Party of Socialists.

The result will be a major relief for the pro-Western government, which strongly backed Sandu's candidacy and her push for closer Western ties on Moldova's path toward the EU.

"Moldova, you are victorious! Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books. Today, you have saved Moldova!" Sandu said after claiming victory after midnight.

She went on to claim that her country's vote had faced an "unprecedented attack" through alleged schemes including dirty money, vote-buying, and electoral interference "by hostile forces from outside the country" and criminal groups.

"You have shown that nothing can stand in the way of the people's power when they choose to speak through their vote," she added.

Speaking before the final vote count, Stoianoglo told the media that "everyone's voice deserves respect" and that he hopes "from now on, we will put an end to the hatred and division imposed on us." It isn't clear if he has publicly commented on his electoral defeat.

When polls closed locally at 9 p.m., turnout stood at more than 1.68 million people — about 54 per cent of eligible voters, according to the CEC. Moldova's large diaspora, which cast ballots in record numbers of more than 325,000, voted heavily in favour of Sandu in the runoff.

In the first round, held Oct. 20, Sandu obtained 42 per cent of the ballot but failed to win an outright majority over the second place Stoianoglo.

The presidential role carries significant powers in areas such as foreign policy and national security and has a four-year term.

Moldova's diaspora played a key role in the presidential vote and in a nationwide referendum held on Oct. 20, when a narrow majority of 50.35 per cent voted to secure Moldova's path toward EU membership. But the results of the ballots, including Sunday's vote, were overshadowed by allegations of a major vote-buying scheme and voter intimidation.

Instead of winning the overwhelming support that Sandu had hoped, the results in both races exposed Moldova's judiciary as unable to adequately protect the democratic process.

On Sunday, Moldovan police said they had "reasonable evidence" of organized transportation of voters — illegal under the country's electoral code — to polling stations from within the country and from overseas. Police said they were