Moldova pivots to EU in presidential vote

3 min read Eastern Europe, Moldova, Romania, Chisinau, Ciolacu, European Commission, European Union, Russia, Stoianoglo, Transnistria, Ursula von der Leyen

Moldovan President Maia Sandu defeated her pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stoianoglo by around 55% to 45% in the presidential second-round vote on Sunday, 3 November. While Stoianoglo was ahead in rural areas, the south, and the breakaway republic of Transnistria, pro-EU Sandu took Chisinau and other cities and was also the