Biden says the Moldovan election results show “Russia has failed” in efforts to undermine democracy

Moldova's pro-European Union president, Maia Sandu, won Sunday's hotly contested presidential election, defeating a rival backed by a pro-Russian party in what she called “a lesson in democracy.”

Elections in a small, middle-class former Soviet republic in war-torn Ukraine and the European Union, was overshadowed by allegations of Moscow's interference. The key vote came just two weeks after a referendum saw Moldovans back their country's bid to join the EU by a narrow margin.

Sandu received 54.94% of the votes compared to 45.06% for Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is supported by the pro-Russian Socialists party and who was fired by Sandu as Prosecutor General last year, according to the almost final results published by the country's electoral commission.

“Today, dear Moldovans, you gave a lesson about democracy, which should be written in the history books…. Freedom, truth, and justice are here,” said Sandu.

His rival Stoianoglo, 57, urged people to be “calm, regardless of the numbers,” but the Socialists group that supported him quickly issued a statement on Monday questioning the results and calling him “illegitimate,” without providing any concrete evidence.

“Maia Sandu is an illegitimate president, recognized only by her sponsors and supporters abroad. The people of Moldova feel betrayed and robbed,” the party said in a statement, criticizing “blocking voter entry” and other alleged irregularities in the vote. where Sandu has benefited from the strong support of many of the country's diaspora.

Biden says democracy has won, “Russia has failed.”

In a statement released Monday morning by the White House, President Biden said the people of Moldova “went to the polls and voted for President Sandu's vision of a secure, prosperous and democratic Moldova.”

“For months, Russia wanted to undermine Moldova's democratic institutions and electoral processes. But Russia failed,” said Mr. Biden. “The people of Moldova have exercised their democratic right to choose their future, and have chosen to pursue a path compatible with Europe and democracy everywhere.”

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sandu on his re-election victory and “the future of the European nation,” saying it took “a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you faced in this election.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said democracy “has triumphed over all interference and all tactics.”

Sandu's victory was also applauded by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy On Monday. His country, Russia which launched its full-scale offensive almost three years ago, surrounds Moldova on three sides.

“The Moldovans have made a clear decision,” Zelenskyy said on Monday. “They have chosen a path towards economic growth and social stability.”

He vowed to strengthen relations between Ukraine and Moldova and noted that both countries have done so applied to join the EU after the Russian invasion in February 2022.

“Only true security and a peaceful, united Europe can guarantee each individual and the whole family the confidence to face tomorrow with hope and confidence,” he said.

Negotiations for Moldova to join the EU officially opened in June. In a poll on October 20, 50.35 percent of voters supported EU membership, with Sandu blaming “foreign interference” for the small effect in the country of 2.6 million people.

“Attacks, provocations and attempts to destabilize”

As in Georgia, another former Soviet Union country where the ruling party won last weekend's parliamentary elections, Russia has been accused of trying to sway voters. Moscow denied the allegations.

Police said after the EU referendum they exposed a vote-buying scheme in Russia that could have affected a quarter of the vote, while Moldovan authorities reported “attacks, provocations and attempts to undermine power” on Sunday.

Police said they were investigating allegations that Russia used “organized transportation” to Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey so that people living in Russia could vote at Moldovan polling stations in those countries.

Cyber ​​attacks and fake bomb threats have also been targeted at voting activities outside the country, authorities said.

A deeply divided Moldova

The turnout was higher than in the first round on October 20, when Sandu came out on top with 42.5 percent and second-placed Stoianoglo got 26 percent.

Voting on Sunday, Stoianoglo said he “has no ties to the Kremlin.”

Although he said he was in favor of joining the EU, he boycotted the referendum.

Moldova is deeply divided. The vast diaspora and the capital are mostly in favor of joining the EU, while the rural areas and the pro-Russian regions of Transnistria and Gagauzia are against it.

Sandu lost in Moldova itself, the election results showed, because of his victory over the scattered people.

“This is what happened in the election,” said Florent Parmentier, a political scientist at Paris-based Sciences Po, noting “Sandu's dependence on the outside.”

In order to maintain its pro-EU course, Moldova needs “a lot of help” in the face of “Russia's hybrid war,” according to Andrei Currararu, an analyst at Chisinau-based WatchDog.

“It will not succeed on its own,” he said, previously citing “unprecedented pressure” with more than $100 million estimated to have been spent on “disruptive activities.”