Pro-Western Maia Sandu wins second term in Moldovan election
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With 98% of the ballots counted, Sandu was leading with 54.35%, according to the Central Election Commission.
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Moldova's President Maia Sandu celebrates with supporters as preliminary results are announced for the presidential election runoff in Chisinau, Moldova, on November 3, 2024. (AP)
Preliminary results indicate that pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu has secured a second term in the Moldovan presidential election, further solidifying her alignment with EU interests.
Observers saw the runoff election as a crucial indicator of whether the country’s long-term geopolitical alignment will be with Russia or Europe.
With 98% of the ballots counted, Sandu was leading with 54.35%, according to the Central Election Commission. With only a portion of the diaspora vote remaining, analysts indicated that her re-election was virtually assured.
Early results showed that the sizable Moldovan diaspora, which makes up about 20% of the electorate, overwhelmingly supported Sandu.
In her victory speech, delivered after nearly all votes were counted, Sandu emphasized that she had heard the voices of both her supporters and her opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo. She stated that her primary goal for the coming years would be to serve as a president for all citizens.
“Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books... Freedom, truth, and justice have prevailed,” she said.
Sandu’s position was weakened by a referendum she initiated on EU integration, which passed by only a narrow margin on October 20. The referendum coincided with the first round of the presidential elections, where Sandu garnered 42% of the vote but did not secure an outright majority.
On Sunday night, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sandu on her re-election victory, emphasizing Moldova’s “European future.”
Congratulations, dear @sandumaiamd, on your victory tonight.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 3, 2024
It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you’ve faced in this election.
I’m glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people. pic.twitter.com/YcCurwhpCq
“It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you’ve faced in this election. I’m glad to continue working with you towards a European future for Moldova and its people,” von der Leyen wrote on X.
The EU has promised a €1.8 billion multi-year package to entice Moldova onto the path of accession, a process that officially began in June. That said, Sandu has vowed to “work night and day” to align Moldova with the EU's interests by 2030.
