Moldova’s referendum on becoming a member of the European Union held a slender 50.17% majority, based on practically last outcomes Monday, amid claims of “unprecedented” overseas interference by President Maia Sandu.
The tight end – with fewer than 1.5% of the ballots nonetheless to be counted – is way from a powerful endorsement of the pro-EU path that Sandu has pursued over 4 years on the helm of the small ex-Soviet republic tugged between Russia and the West.
A presidential election, which occurred concurrently, handed Sandu 42% of the vote whereas her essential rival, former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo gained 26%, establishing a tightly fought run-off between the 2 on Nov. 3.
The votes, which occurred after a slew of allegations of election meddling, have been seen as a check of the southeast European nation’s dedication to affix the European Union and escape Moscow’s orbit for good.
The tight referendum end result places Sandu in a weaker place going into the second spherical since she has championed EU integration.
Moldova started the lengthy means of formal accession talks in June and underneath Sandu has aimed to affix by 2030. Ties with Moscow have deteriorated as Sandu condemned the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine and diversified power provide away from Russia.
Stoianoglo has mentioned that, if he involves energy, he would develop a “balanced” overseas coverage involving ties with the EU, Russia, United States and China. He boycotted Sunday’s referendum, calling it a ruse to spice up Sandu’s haul on the election.
‘Clear proof’
In the early hours of Monday, Sandu addressed Moldovan residents, saying there was “clear evidence” that felony teams working along with “foreign forces hostile to our national interests” had sought to purchase off 300,000 votes.
She mentioned this amounted to “fraud of unprecedented scale.”
“Criminal groups … have attacked our country with tens of millions of euros, lies and propaganda, using the most disgraceful means to keep our citizens and our nation trapped in uncertainty and instability,” she mentioned.
While nonetheless ready for the ultimate outcomes, she mentioned, Moldova would “respond with firm decisions,” with out elaborating.
Russia, which accuses Sandu’s authorities of “Russophobia,” denied interfering.
Ahead of the vote, authorities took down on-line assets they mentioned hosted disinformation, and introduced that they had uncovered a program in Russia to coach Moldovans to stage mass unrest.
As the early outcomes got here in late Sunday, some 57% of Moldovans initially appeared to have voted “no” within the referendum. As extra ballots have been counted, the “yes” vote steadily rose, overtaking “no” early Monday morning.
Political analyst Valeriu Pasha mentioned the “yes” vote had edged forward solely due to unusually excessive voter turnout among the many Moldovan diaspora residing overseas, who largely help EU integration.
“With such elections, in which dozens of (percentage points) can be bought, it will be very difficult for us going forward. But we must learn lessons and learn to fight this phenomenon,” he mentioned.
Source: www.dailysabah.com