Moldovans re-elect Maia Sandu as president

(Patria) - In the second round of the presidential elections in Moldova, incumbent President Maia Sandu won 54.43 percent of the vote, officially confirming her victory in a turbulent election cycle for this country.

According to data from the Central Election Commission of Moldova, Sandu secured this percentage after 98 percent of the votes were counted, while her opponent, the pro-Russian Alexandr Stoianoglo, won 45.57 percent of the Moldovan votes.

Very soon after it became known that she had won another term, Sandu addressed the citizens of Moldova and thanked all voters for turning out to the polls.

"Moldova, you are the winner. Today, dear Moldovans, you gave a lesson in democracy worthy of being written in history textbooks. Today you saved Moldova. In our choice for a dignified future, no one lost," Sandu said.

She stated that truth, justice and freedom had won in the elections. She also had a message for the diaspora.

"Diaspora, you are incredible! Our Moldovans from afar have once again shown that Moldova beats in their chests as strongly as it beats in our chests here at home," she stated.

Sandu also sent a message in Russian, saying she wanted to show that she was addressing the Russian-speaking communities of citizens in Moldova as well.

The results will set the trend for next year's parliamentary elections, when the party Sandu leads could fight to retain its majority.

Stoianoglo's rhetoric of balance between East and West contrasted with Sandu's four years in power, during which ties with the Kremlin were severed, Moscow diplomats were expelled, and she condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moscow calls her government "Russophobic."

Sandu portrayed Stoianoglo as a Kremlin man and a political Trojan horse, suggesting that yesterday's vote was a choice between a bright future in the EU by 2030 or a future of uncertainty and instability.