Elections in Moldova: Pro-European president leads but majority votes against EU path

(Patria) - Partial results showed that 56% of Moldovans voted "no" in Sunday's referendum on their aspirations towards the European Union, placing current President Maia Sandu only a few percentage points ahead of her rival in the presidential elections.

The results published on the Central Election Commission website changed in real time, but could represent a major political setback for her pro-Western government if they remain as such.

With 34% of ballots counted, the election commission says Sandu has 35% of the vote, ahead of Alexandr Stoianoglo (57), a former chief prosecutor backed by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, with 29%, Reuters reported.

That result would pave the way for a potential second round of elections. Although the results could still change as more ballots are counted, especially among the large Western diaspora, they are almost certainly a shock for President Sandu's team.

Polls had shown her far ahead of Stoianoglo and other politicians, although many voters were still undecided at the time. The elections were overshadowed by a series of allegations of election interference by Russia-backed tycoon Ilan Shor. Russia denied any interference, as did Shor in doing anything wrong.

Power in Moldova has alternated between pro-Western and pro-Russian governments since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Ties with Moscow have deteriorated under Sandu. Her government condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, accused Russia of plotting to overthrow her, and diversified energy supplies after Russia reduced gas deliveries.

Oazu Nantoi, a deputy from her PAS party, speaking about the elections, said they were the result of Russian "hybrid" interference, including disinformation.

"We are in a grey zone and under great influence from Putin. It is obvious that the preliminary results reflect the real figures," he said.