People in Moldova headed to polls on Sunday to vote in a presidential election runoff that could play a crucial role in the country’s European future, amid fears of meddling from Russia.
Pro-European Union incumbent Maia Sandu is facing off with former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is backed by the pro-Russian Socialist Party, in a taut second-round..Push for EU membership amid tight race
Sandu bagged 42.5% of the vote in the first round of the presidential ballot.
Stoianoglo — who was fired as prosecutor general by Sandu last year — got 26% of the vote.
However, analysts are forecasting a close battle as Stoianoglo has since garnered the support of other defeated candidates.
52-year-old Sandu, a former World Bank economist, is looking to chart a new pro-European course for the country.
“Joining the European Union is Moldova’s Marshall Plan,” she has said referring to the economic recovery plan to rebuild Europe after World War II.
But her plan for Moldova to join the EU received a setback after a referendum on the issue, held last month, was passed by a razor-thin “yes”.
Sandu blamed “foreign interference” for the narrow vote, which saw 50.35% backing a membership.
The first round of the presidential ballot and the referendum on EU membership were both held on the same day.
Sandu also alleges that Stoianoglo is the Kremlin’s man and a “Trojan horse.”
Stoianoglo, who is praised by his supporters for keeping his distance from the EU, says that his opponent’s claims are untrue. He has accused Sandu of indulging in divisive politics in a nation that has a considerable Russian-speaking minority.
Russian interference
Police in Moldova have tightened their watch in an attempt to avoid a repeat of what they say was an extensive vast vote-buying scheme in the first round last month. It is believed to have been brought into play by Russian-backed fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor.
Shor resides in Russia and has used social media to urge people to vote against Sandu, promising a payout for following his instructions.
