The results of the presidential election and the national constitutional referendum in the Republic of Moldova show a clear victory for the European future of the Republic of Moldova, despite Russia’s attempt to undermine it. A number of European leaders and development partners of the Republic of Moldova made statements in this regard following the October 20 election and referendum, IPN reports.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the European Commission issued a joint statement in which they welcome the results of the election in the Republic of Moldova and condemn Russia’s attempts to undermine the electoral process. They also welcomed the results of the constitutional referendum, in which the Moldovan people have expressed their desire to anchor their future in the EU.
“Russia and its proxies actively tried to undermine the democratic and voting process in Moldova. We commend the Moldovan authorities for successfully organizing the election and constitutional referendum, nevertheless,” says the joint statement.
The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola also reacted to the results of the referendum. “Congratulations, Moldova! Thank you for your courage. Thank you, Maia Sandu. Your leadership and courage have changed the course of history. Europe is Moldova. Moldova is Europe. Our future will be written together,” Roberta Metsola posted on Facebook.
The result of the referendum in the Republic of Moldova represents a clear victory for its citizens and for the country’s European future, despite Russia’s attempts to destabilize the democratic process, said Romanian MEP Siegfried Mureșan, who noted that Europe must now intensify support for Moldova’s modernization, improve the standard of living and prepare it for accession to the European Union.
“As Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Republic of Moldova, I will make sure that the European Union takes into account the people’s will expressed in the referendum and that we provide all the necessary support in the accession process,” wrote Siegfried Mureșan. Also, as the European Parliament’s chief negotiator on the €1.8 billion Moldova Growth Plan, the MEP said that he will make sure that the European legislation is adopted as soon as possible so that the money gets where it is needed: in the country’s infrastructure, schools, roads, hospitals, as well as in the modernization of the public administration and continuation of reforms in the justice system.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, congratulated the people of Moldova and Maia Sandu. “You’ve done it again! In the face of Russia’s hybrid tactics, Moldova shows that it is independent, it is strong and it wants a European future!”, said Ursula von der Leyen.
The President of Romania Klaus Iohannis said that he supports the vote in favor of European integration in the referendum held in Moldova. In a message posted on Twitter, the Romanian president stressed that Moldova’s fate must be decided exclusively by its citizens. “I welcome the vote for European integration in the referendum in the Republic of Moldova and for the popular support expressed in favor of President Maia Sandu and democratic values. The fate of the Republic of Moldova must be decided only by its citizens,” he concluded.
French President Emmanuel Macron also reacted after the victory of the option to join the European Union in the referendum in the Republic of Moldova, assuring the country of France’s support in fulfilling its European destiny and denouncing the “disinformation maneuvers” during the vote.
The Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk congratulated the Moldovan citizens on the choice made by the Moldovans and came with a message of appreciation for President Maia Sandu. “She can infuriate Moscow, impress Europe, save her country once again 0 this’s who Maia Sandu is. A great leader and a brave nation,” Tusk posted on Twitter.
According to France Presse and Reuters, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Russia had been actively working to undermine Moldova's election and its European integration. "Russia did not succeed, as the results demonstrate. Moldovan democracy is strong," Kirby said, but added that he expected Moscow to try to influence the runoff election. He also welcomed the positive vote in the referendum on Moldova’s accession to the European Union, describing it as a step forward on the country’s path of the European integration.
According to the preliminary results of the presidential election, PAS candidate Maia Sandu won 42.45% of the vote, followed by PSRM candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo with 25.98% of the ballot. Thus, the two politicians will duel in the election runoff on November 3.
At the referendum, according to preliminary data presented by the Central Election Commission, 751,235 voters chose the “Yes” option, and 737,639 voted “No".
