Outgoing pro-European President Maia Sandu came first in the first round of elections in Moldova on Sunday October 20, according to partial results published by the Electoral Commission. She will face Alexandr Stoianoglo, supported by the pro-Russian socialists, in the second round on November 3.
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After counting more than 40% of the ballots from crucial vote in Moldova this Sunday, Maia Sandu52, received 35% of the votes. The outgoing Moldovan president is heading towards a second round pitting her against Alexandr Stoianoglo. This 57-year-old ex-prosecutor achieved a better score than expected, since he received, again according to partial results, almost 30% of the votes.
The hypothesis of a second round in this presidential election was the most conceivable before the start of the vote. The final results should confirm it, and Maia Sandu should face Alexandre Stoianoglo on November 3.
The other issue of the elections of October 20 was the referendum concerning an inclusion in the Moldovan Constitution of the objective of accession to theEuropean Union (EU). And after more than 40% of the ballots were counted, “no” received 56% of the votes, compared to 44% for “yes”. Such a result would be a surprise, starting with President Sandu. However, the trend could reverse, as many votes have not yet been counted in the more EU-friendly capital Chisinau.