The second round of presidential elections in Moldova takes place amid allegations of Russian interference

Moldovans have begun voting in the second round of presidential elections, which will determine which party will rule the country for the upcoming term.

On Sunday, November 3, 2024, Moldovan citizens voted to elect their next president, a move marred by accusations of interference against Russia.

Allegations of Russian involvement grew when pro-Western President Maia Sandu won 42% of the electoral mandate in the first round of elections but failed to secure an absolute majority.

Meanwhile, Sandu’s opponent, former prosecutor general and pro-Russian candidate Alexander Stoianoglo, received 26% of the vote.

Maia Sandu said the Asian-European country bought 300,000 votes and used an unprecedented campaign of disinformation and propaganda “to try to keep the former Soviet republic inside its self-proclaimed sphere of influence”, it was reported. POLICY.

Olga Rosca, Sandu’s adviser, told the publication that “the authorities, working tirelessly, implemented a double approach – dismantling the network and scaring away potential participants.”

She continued: “Every resource was mobilized, from law enforcement efforts to public notices on trolleybuses and supermarkets, from civil society calls for honesty to journalists documenting the stories of those who refused to participate in the scheme.”

Let us note that Maia Sandu, in an effort to remove Moldova from the influence of Russia, accelerated the country’s accession to the European Union, and her pro-Russian rival expressed disagreement with this proposal.

Polling stations, which opened at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday, will close at 9 p.m.