US accuses Russia of interfering in election in Moldova

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the Russian Federation may attempt to influence the second round of presidential election in Moldova.

"As we approach the second round of presidential election on November 3, the US remains concerned that Russia may once again seek to undermine the Moldovan people's sovereign right to choose the leader," he said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Blinken assured that the US, alongside its allies and partners, stands with the Moldovan people in their pursuit of security, prosperity, and a democratic future. The US Secretary of State expressed confidence that the government of Moldova and the Central Electoral Commission have ensured good organisation and competitiveness in the election.

On October 14, press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov categorically denied accusations that Moscow is allegedly interfering in the electoral process in Moldova. Presidential election was held in Moldova on October 20. 

After processing 100 per cent of the ballots, incumbent president Maia Sandu received 42.45 per cent of the votes, while former prosecutor general Alexander Stoianoglo garnered 25.99 per cent. Since neither candidate secured more than 50 per cent of the votes, the second round will be held on November 3.   A referendum was also held, proposing to amend the Constitution of Moldova to include the phrase "on the irreversibility" of its European course and to declare integration into the EU a "strategic goal".

According to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), 50.46 per cent of those who voted supported the constitutional amendments affirming the irreversible path toward EU accession, while 49.54 per cent were opposed. Moreover, the CEC reported that over 55,000 people chose not to participate by rejecting their ballots.  

The plebiscite clearly failed in the Gagauz Autonomous Region of Moldova and in the polling places where residents of the unrecognized Transnistria voted. In Gagauzia, 94.84 per cent of voters opposed joining the EU, while 62.56 per cent of Transnistrians expressed the same view. There were no polling stations set up in the unrecognized republic itself.

By Naila Huseynova