“We categorically reject any accusations that we are somehow interfering with this work,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “We will not do this.”
Sandu won the first round of voting two weeks ago with 42.4%. This was well ahead of Aleksandr Stoianoglo (26%), but fell short of the 50% she needed to win outright. His vote share is expected to increase due to the vote share of candidates who failed in the runoff election.
After the vote, Sandu warned Moldovans that “thieves” wanted to buy their votes and their country, and urged them to protect their country’s independence.
Stoianoglo, who promises to be an “apolitical president” for everyone, told reporters he voted for “Moldova, which must develop in harmony with both the West and the East.”
But commentators and politicians have warned that Stoianoglu’s victory could fundamentally change the political landscape in the Danube and Black Sea regions, not because he is some kind of “Trojan horse” but rather because Russia is empowering him. .
By 16:00 (14:00 GMT), 43% of Moldovans had voted, and long lines were reported at polling stations in Moscow and Belarus, as well as Romania, France and Italy.
Moldova’s Election Commission is aware of reports of organized and illegal transport of voters by air and land from Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey and appealed to the public to report any further violations.
