Pro-European President of Moldova Re-elected after Tense Race

chisinau - Maia Sandu, known for seeking closer ties with the EU, has been re-elected as the President of Moldova after a tight race, delivering a conciliatory victory speech.

Moldova's President Maia Sandu, who is known for seeking closer ties with the EU, has been re-elected after a close race and delivered a conciliatory victory speech. With nearly 98 percent of the votes counted, she led with 54.43 percent of the votes, against 45.57 percent for Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate of the pro-Russian Socialist Party.

Stoianoglo was in the lead for most of Sunday, but Sandu caught up thanks to the last votes counted from Moldovans abroad.

Sandu had also received more votes than Stoianoglo in the first round last month, but did not secure the required majority to be declared the immediate winner. Hence, Moldovans voted again on Sunday.

Simultaneously with the first round of elections, a referendum was held on Moldova's potential accession to the EU. A slight majority of voters voted in favor of accession.

In her victory speech, Sandu emphasized the need for the government to prepare for next year's parliamentary elections and to protect democracy. She told journalists that she wants to be a president for all Moldovans and that she has heard the voices of both her supporters and opponents.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Sandu on her victory. Von der Leyen expressed her happiness to continue working with Sandu for a European future. Macron expressed his joy over "the victory of democracy against all interference and manipulations." Russia was accused of interfering in the elections in favor of Stoianoglo, but the Kremlin denied the allegations.