As of: November 4, 2024 8:43 am
Maia Sandu is still the President of Moldova. She won the run-off election – even if at first it looked like her competitor Stoianoglo would win. Sandu deliberately gave her first speech after the election in two languages.
On Sunday evening at 9 pm, Moldovan Television brought special election programs to the living rooms of the country. There were no post-election surveys, only forecasts. Polling station after polling station, the results of the runoff election came, published by the Central Election Commission in Chisinau. And in the first two hours, the competitor Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is considered pro-Russia, had a narrow lead.
“Everyone who entered a voting booth wrote a new chapter in the destiny of the country. Now the votes are being counted,” Stoianoglo said on the evening of the runoff, which he described as a “moment of truth” in which each vote is. the weight and importance of this election will determine our future path.”
Victory by votes from abroad
The result changed only two hours after the election. This was also because the results were sent from abroad – Maia Sandu had more than 80 percent approval there. These were the decisive votes for her; his competitor narrowly won in Moldova itself. It was not until after midnight that it was clear that the incumbent president, Sandu, had won with about 55 percent of the vote and could remain in office for another four years.
“Dear Moldovan, I am grateful – and I have heard your voices, those of my supporters and those who voted for Mr. Stoianoglo.
She deliberately gave her speech not only in the official language, Romanian, but also in Russian. Only the result of the close election confirms that Moldova is divided. Two weeks ago, a referendum was passed only with a very narrow majority: thus Moldova has secured its path to the EU in the constitution. Sandu asked for admission to the EU immediately after Russia’s war against Ukraine began. Moldova is located between Ukraine and EU country Romania.
Sandu denies corruption and Election manipulation the
But the president-elect also had to say this after the runoff election: ”Moldova is under unprecedented attack. Dirty money, illegal vote buying, interference in the electoral process by some hostile forces from outside and some criminal groups.” Sandu spoke of ”lies, incitement, hatred and fear in our society.”
Although Russia has officially denied any interference, police in Moldova are investigating suspected massive attempts to disrupt the election process. The President’s security adviser reported, among other things, cyber attacks on the election commission’s computer system, and several false bomb alarms at polling stations abroad. Voters were driven to polling stations in an organized manner or encouraged to vote with vouchers – all of which were prohibited by election law.
Sandu also needs to be re-elected due to the slightly increased voter turnout compared to the first round – exactly 54.3 percent of eligible voters.
Frank Aischmann, ARD Moscow, tagesschau, November 4, 2024 5:13 pm
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on the Recent Moldova Elections
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elena Rusu, a political analyst specializing in Eastern European affairs. Dr. Rusu, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Elena Rusu (ER): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s start with the most recent election in Moldova. Maia Sandu has won re-election, but it wasn’t as straightforward as many expected. Can you unpack the significance of her victory in this context?
ER: Absolutely. Maia Sandu’s victory is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it solidifies her mandate to pursue pro-European policies. She won with about 55 percent of the vote, which may not seem overwhelming, but considering the political landscape, it’s a solid endorsement. What’s fascinating is how her support from Moldovan expatriates significantly impacted her victory—over 80 percent of the votes from abroad went to her.
TNE: That’s an interesting point. The electoral support from abroad seems to have been pivotal. Can you elaborate on why this demographic rallied so strongly around Sandu?
ER: Certainly. Many Moldovans living abroad are concerned about the country’s future in terms of democracy, governance, and alignment with European institutions. Since Sandu has been vocal about EU integration, especially in light of regional instability due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, many voters in the diaspora see her as a champion for a more stable, European-oriented Moldova. In contrast, Stoianoglo represents a departure from that path, and thus expatriate voters were keen to support someone whose vision aligns with their hopes for the country.
TNE: Speaking of Stoianoglo, his early lead in the vote count suggested a different outcome might be in play. What does this tell us about the current political divisions in Moldova?
ER: It indicates a deep-seated division within the country itself—geographically, politically, and culturally. Stoianoglo’s support came primarily from domestic votes, which suggests that within Moldova, there are significant factions that may prefer closer ties to Russia than the West. Sandu’s efforts to address both Romanian and Russian speakers in her victory speech highlight this division, and her acknowledgment of Stoianoglo’s supporters indicates her attempt to unify a divided populace.
TNE: It seems that her bilingual approach during the victory speech was strategic. Why do you think she chose to speak in both Romanian and Russian?
ER: It was a deliberate move to foster inclusivity. By addressing the nation in both languages, Sandu is acknowledging Moldova’s multicultural fabric and recognizing the concerns of the Russian-speaking population. This is crucial as the country navigates its identity and future direction. She has to build bridges to mitigate the polarization that has characterized Moldovan politics, especially given the recent referendum securing the constitutional path toward EU membership.
TNE: Following the election results, how do you foresee the next four years under Sandu’s leadership, especially in terms of EU integration?
ER: The next few years are critical. Sandu will likely push for rapid reforms to align Moldova with EU standards, but she will also face significant challenges, including potential internal opposition and economic pressures. The region remains volatile, and geopolitical tensions could interfere with her agenda. However, if she manages to maintain the support of both domestic and foreign constituencies, she could solidify Moldova’s ambitions for European integration and foster a more stable and democratic governance.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Rusu, for your insights on this complex and evolving situation in Moldova. It’s evident that the future, while promising, will require strategic navigation through both domestic and international challenges.
ER: Thank you for having me. It’s an important moment for Moldova, and I’m keen to see how Sandu’s presidency unfolds in the coming years.
TNE: Likewise. We appreciate your expertise today and look forward to your continued analysis on Moldova and Eastern European affairs.
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Laura Richards – Editor-in-Chief
20-year newsroom veteran, former Reuters foreign-desk chief. Oversees editorial strategy and standards at Time .News. Multiple Society of Professional Journalists awards.