More backlash to Putin's special 3 day operation. As another country looks to strengthen ties to "The West".
Bad day for for dudes that hate the west.
Super close, like a reverse brexit. A marginal win is still a win but it will be challenged, not the least by Russia which as President Maia Sandu said, launched “an unprecedented assault on our country’s freedom and democracy, both today and in recent months.”
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Moldova's Sandu secures knife-edge EU vote win after 'unfair fight'
CHISINAU, Oct 21 (Reuters) - President Maia Sandu said on Monday Moldovans had won a "first battle in a difficult fight" for their future, a day after a slim majority of 50.46% backed EU accession in a referendum that was clouded by allegations of Russia-backed meddling.
The knife-edge finish was a shock for supporters of Sandu, who had hoped the vote would deliver a firm message of intent to bring the ex-Soviet agricultural economy into the European Union by 2030 and leave Moscow's orbit for good.
"The people of Moldova have spoken: Our EU future will now be anchored in the constitution. We fought fairly in an unfair fight — and we won," Sandu wrote on X.
The result means a clause will be added to the constitution defining EU accession as a goal. Moldova began the long process of formal accession talks in June.
In a presidential election held alongside the referendum, Sandu won 42.45%, short of the 50% needed to win outright and paving the way for a Nov. 3 runoff against former prosecutor-general Alexandr Stoianoglo, who won 25.98%.
Earlier, Sandu, 52, had told Moldovans there was "clear evidence" that criminal groups backed by "foreign forces hostile to our national interests" had aimed to buy off 300,000 votes.
"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 said.
Bad day for for dudes that hate the west.
Super close, like a reverse brexit. A marginal win is still a win but it will be challenged, not the least by Russia which as President Maia Sandu said, launched “an unprecedented assault on our country’s freedom and democracy, both today and in recent months.”
Moldova's Sandu secures knife-edge EU vote win after 'unfair fight'
- 'Yes' vote edges Moldova's EU referendum in tight finish
- President Maia Sandu alleges 'unprecedented' meddling
- Russia says vote was not free, casts doubt on result
- EU says Moldova has shown it wants EU future
CHISINAU, Oct 21 (Reuters) - President Maia Sandu said on Monday Moldovans had won a "first battle in a difficult fight" for their future, a day after a slim majority of 50.46% backed EU accession in a referendum that was clouded by allegations of Russia-backed meddling.
The knife-edge finish was a shock for supporters of Sandu, who had hoped the vote would deliver a firm message of intent to bring the ex-Soviet agricultural economy into the European Union by 2030 and leave Moscow's orbit for good.
"The people of Moldova have spoken: Our EU future will now be anchored in the constitution. We fought fairly in an unfair fight — and we won," Sandu wrote on X.
The result means a clause will be added to the constitution defining EU accession as a goal. Moldova began the long process of formal accession talks in June.
In a presidential election held alongside the referendum, Sandu won 42.45%, short of the 50% needed to win outright and paving the way for a Nov. 3 runoff against former prosecutor-general Alexandr Stoianoglo, who won 25.98%.
Earlier, Sandu, 52, had told Moldovans there was "clear evidence" that criminal groups backed by "foreign forces hostile to our national interests" had aimed to buy off 300,000 votes.
"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 said.