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Referendum in Moldova: Votes for EU course narrowly in the lead

by AI | 21.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Republic of Moldova set the course for its future in a presidential election and an EU referendum. After counting 98.3 percent of the ballots, according to the election commission, 50.08 percent of the participants voted in favor of anchoring the EU course in the constitution.

October 20, 2024, Romania, Bucharest: Moldovan citizens living in Romania cast their votes at a polling station in Bucharest. Moldovan voters went to the polls for the country's presidential elections and a referendum on joining the European Union (EU). Photo: Cristian Cristel/XinHua/dpa

Chisinau – The people in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova have apparently voted with a slim majority to anchor the EU course in the constitution in a referendum after counting almost all the votes. According to the election commission, after 98.3 percent of the ballots had been counted, 50.08 percent of the participants voted for the amendment of the constitution, in which the pro-European course is to be unchangeably enshrined as a strategic goal. About 49.92 percent were against it.

In view of the predictably extremely close election result, however, the final result could still differ from the counting status in the morning. Previously, it had long looked as if the opponents were ahead.

Moldova’s pro-European President Maia Sandu complained of massive election fraud during the night. She left open whether she recognizes the result. The 52-year-old came first among the total of eleven candidates in the presidential election simultaneously held on Sunday, but missed the absolute majority and must therefore go into a runoff on November 3.

To implement reforms, Sandu relies on a majority in parliament, which she currently still has. The political power struggle in Moldova could reach its peak in the parliamentary election next summer. “For a strong, policy-making role as president, a loyal prime minister and a majority in parliament are necessary,” said German expert Brigitta Triebel from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Chisinau to the German Press Agency (dpa). She does not expect Russia’s attempted influence in Moldova to wane.

The impoverished agrarian country with 2.5 million inhabitants is traditionally torn between the West and Russia. Moldova, located between EU and NATO member Romania and Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, is an EU accession candidate. (October 21)