The winner of the presidential elections in Moldova promises “balanced” relations with the West and Russia



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Analysts see Sandu’s victory as a major blow to the Kremlin, which has hoped the pro-Russian Dodon will secure a new term.

Russia wanted a divided Moldova, plagued by political unrest and security crisis, to remain within its sphere of influence when various Kremlin-allied governments were plagued by political unrest and security crises.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sandu promised to maintain a “real balance” in foreign policy and a “pragmatic dialogue with all countries, including Romania, Ukraine, European countries, Russia and the United States.”

“I will work for all the citizens of our country,” said a 48-year-old center-right opposition politician who did not serve as prime minister in 2019 for a short time.

Addressing supporters of Dodon, he said: “They have not lost, I will earn their trust in the concrete work.”

Sandu, who also vowed to root out corruption, scored 57.75 percent in the second round on Sunday. votes. I. Dodon received 42.25 percent. votes.

In the first round of elections earlier this month, Sandu also unexpectedly defeated Dodon.

Some observers warned of protests after the second round of the elections, but I. Dodon acknowledged defeat and congratulated the opponent.

“The preliminary results show that Maia Sandu won,” Dodon told reporters.

The president also said that his electoral team had recorded an “unprecedented amount of abuse”, but urged his supporters not to take to the streets.

“We don’t need destabilization,” added Dodon.

Dodon had promised to maintain close ties with Moldova’s “strategic partner” Moscow, saying that Russian should be a compulsory subject in schools.

He came to power in 2016, defeating Sandu in the second round.

Moldova, part of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991, is one of the poorest countries in Europe; about 40 percent. its citizens have gone abroad to work.

The way to progress

Moldova has been rocked by a series of political crises and a billion. A bank fraud scheme worth nearly $ 155 billion (€ 0.85 billion). gross domestic product.

Romania, a member of the European Union, and pro-Western Ukraine rushed to welcome Mr. Sandu. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said that the Moldovan people had chosen a “path of progress”.

Moldova and neighboring Romania are united by language and close historical ties.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council (EVS), welcomed Mr. Sandu to Twitter on Monday: “Congratulations to Maiu Sandu for winning the elections. The Moldovan people have clearly chosen a path that prioritizes justice, a genuine fight against corruption and a more just society. “

He assured that the EU is willing to work more closely with Chisinau.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called on Moldovans to support Dodon, congratulated Sandu on Monday afternoon and wished him success.

“I hope that his work as head of state will promote the constructive development of relations between the two countries,” Putin said in a statement posted on the Kremlin’s website.

The policy of a small Moldova intervening between Ukraine and Romania, a member of NATO, has long been very delicate.

3.5 million In a country with a population of two, there are two opposing camps: those in favor of closer ties with the European Union and, in particular, Romania, and those in Soviet relations with Moscow.

Russia has deployed troops in the breakaway Transnistrian region of Moldova, which it supports. After a brief civil war following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, separatist Transnistria is not recognized by the international community.

Mr. Sandu will be sworn in at the end of Mr. Dodon’s term on December 23.



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