Moldova's referendum sparks EU hopes amid Russian discontent
Around half of Moldova's citizens voted "yes" in Sunday's referendum regarding the country's EU membership. The chairman of the European Parliament delegation for relations with the Republic of Moldova commented on the results. "It's Russia's defeat," he wrote.
"I will ensure that the will of the people, expressed in the referendum, is respected and that the country continues its European path," emphasised Muresan.
The referendum results are almost evenly divided after counting votes from 99% of polling stations. 50% of Moldovans supported the inclusion of Euro integration in the country's constitution in the Sunday referendum.
The Kremlin suggests that the voting results were falsified. Dmitry Peskov stated, without providing evidence, that the rate of increase in votes supporting Moldova's integration with the EU is "difficult to explain".
Presidential elections in Moldova. Results are in
According to preliminary presidential election results, after counting almost all votes, incumbent President of Moldova Maia Sandu received 42% support, reported the Reuters agency.
Since Sandu won the election in 2020 (and her party the following year), Moldova has chosen a pro-Western course, with the main goal of joining the EU. Moldova has started accession negotiations with the EU. Sandu announces the continuation of her policy, striving for EU integration and reforms, economic development, and strengthening democracy.
According to authorities in Chișinău, even more intense than before these elections have been the Russian hybrid activities aimed at undermining the pro-Western government's policy. These include information campaigns and illegal transfer of money to the country for pro-Russian activists and politicians, intended for "buying votes" of voters.
