Voting closed at 21:00 (19:00 GMT) in Moldova, with voter turnout 54% higher than four years ago, particularly among foreign voters living in polling stations abroad.
Preliminary results show Stoianoglo took an early lead and won Moldova’s own vote with more than 51% of the vote. Sandu was well ahead in the capital Chisinau and completely dominant among expatriate voters.
When she overtook her challenger late Sunday night, cheers and chants of “victory” were heard at her campaign headquarters.
In a hoarse voice, she praised her compatriots for saving Moldova and giving her “a lesson in democracy that will go down in the history books.”
Then she said in Russian: “I heard the voices of all those who supported me and those who voted for Mr. Stoianoglo. No one was lost in our choice for a dignified future… We must unite.”
Olga Roska, Maia Sandu’s foreign policy adviser, told the BBC she was proud of the result.
Asked if she was surprised that Stoianoglo won in Moldova, she said the votes in Moldova and abroad should be viewed as one and the same. “We do not divide people into domestic Moldovans and expats. We see Moldovans as one family.”
She said ahead of next year’s election, the president “has made it clear that he hears the mood for change.” Between the two presidential votes, she said several times that the fight against corruption must be strengthened and judicial reform accelerated. “She is dedicated to this work.”
Final results will be announced on Monday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sandhu, saying “it will take rare strength to overcome the difficulties we face in these elections.”
“I am delighted to continue working with you on a European future for Moldova and its people,” her message to X said.
Alexander Stoianoglo pledged to be an “apolitical president” and said he voted for “Moldova, which must develop in harmony with both the West and the East.”
Stoianoglo polled particularly well in rural areas and the south, while Sandu was ahead in cities and among young voters.
