In a closely contested referendum, Moldova, an Eastern European nation, witnessed a slight majority favoring constitutional amendments aimed at EU integration, with official counts revealing 50.46% in support versus 49.54% against. This outcome emerged after tallying over 99.6% of the votes, surprising many given the anticipation of a decisive approval in Moldova, which is home to 2.6 million people and shares borders with Romania and Ukraine.
The referendum coincided with the presidential elections, where the current pro-EU president, Maia Sandu, did not secure re-election in the first round, necessitating a runoff. Sandu interpreted the referendum's outcome as a victory for pro-EU factions, despite describing the competition as "unjust" and accusing adversaries, including criminal entities, of vote manipulation. She highlighted a concerning trend of vote purchases, indirectly attributing such actions to foreign influences, notably without direct reference to Russia. However, recent investigations in Moldova have exposed a scheme linked to Moscow aimed at influencing the vote against the EU direction and Sandu.
EU spokesperson Peter Stano and various incidents reported by the BBC underscored the external pressures faced during the referendum, including vote-buying initiatives by pro-Russian figures. Despite these challenges, the referendum's approval signifies a continued push towards EU membership for Moldova, although the non-binding nature of the vote introduces uncertainties in the membership process. The presidential election's first round saw Sandu leading, setting the stage for a challenging second round influenced by the referendum's dynamics and the broader geopolitical contest between EU aspirations and Russian affiliations.
Source: BBC