2024 Moldovan Presidential Election
PAS
|
---|
Administrative divisions |
Moldova portal |
Presidential elections were held in Moldova on 20 October 2024, with a runoff held on 3 November. Incumbent president Maia Sandu, who won the first round, and former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, who was the runner-up, contested the runoff, with Sandu winning a majority of votes and being re-elected for a second and final term.
The Guardian described the election as a choice between the West and Russia, with Sandu representing the pro-European side and Stoianoglo the Russian-friendly side. Renato Usatîi, who finished third in the first round, declined to back either candidate in the runoff. Romanian Insider described Victoria Furtună and Vasile Tarlev, who came in fifth and sixth as backed by the pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor.
On the same day as the first round of the election, a majority of Moldovans voted "yes" to add the desire for EU membership to the country's constitution. This was seen as a victory for Sandu who campaigned for the "yes" side, although the result was closer than expected, a fact Sandu blamed on alleged Russian-sponsored interference on the election, including vote buying organised by Russian-trained groups. OSCE described international observers as assessing the first round's conduct "overwhelmingly positively", although OSCE also noted misuse of administrative resources and unbalanced media coverage in favor of the incumbent. Analysts stated Sandu's runoff victory was seen as a major relief for the current government, which strongly backed her candidacy, her push for closer ties with the West, and her support for Moldova's path toward the European Union.
Electoral system
Date
On 17 April 2024, Parliament speaker Igor Grosu announced the holding of the presidential election in conjunction with the referendum on joining the European Union (EU) on 20 October. The decision was approved by the Parliament of Moldova on 16 May.
Eligibility requirements
The Constitution of Moldova (Article 78, Clause 2) defines four conditions that a presidential candidate must satisfy: Moldovan citizenship, at least 40 years of age, residence in Moldova for at least 10 years, and ability to speak the state language. Article 80 of the Constitution establishes a term limit: one individual cannot serve more than 2 terms in a row.
Procedure
Candidates can be nominated by a political party, an electoral alliance, or run as independents. They have to collect at least 15,000 voter signatures in their support from at least half of Moldova's level 2 administrative territorial units with at least 600 signatures in each of them. The election results can be considered valid only if the turnout is above or equal to 33.33%. The candidate who receives an absolute majority of the votes is elected president. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a second round between the top 2 candidates is held two weeks after the first round. The candidate with the largest number of votes in the second round then becomes president.
Security concerns
Moldovan authorities have accused Russian-trained groups of plotting to destabilise the election.
In June 2024, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada issued a joint statement on Russian influence within the Moldovan election. At the same time, the US also announced sanctions against the Governor of Gagauzia Evghenia Guțul, who it alleged is an "active facilitator" of Russian-backed election influence.
In September 2024, incidents of vandalism on the offices of the Supreme Court of Justice of Moldova and on the public broadcaster Teleradio-Moldova were attributed to the said groups. In October 2024, authorities announced the discovery of a plot by exiled pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor involving $15 million in funds from Russia that were distributed to around 130,000 people in order to bribe voters into selecting anti-Western decisions, and spread disinformation against the European Union on social media, following raids on 26 locations nationwide. Russia denied the accusations. Security checks were strengthened at Chișinău International Airport following an influx of passengers from Russia carrying large amounts of cash believed to be connected with the plot.
Later that month, Moldova accused Russia of plotting to bus in voters to polling stations at the Moldovan Embassy in Moscow. In response, the EU imposed sanctions on five officials from the autonomous Gagauzia region and on one Russian-based entity involved in the influence operation. The United States accused Russia of spending "millions of dollars" to support its preferred parties and spreading disinformation online. The Russian foreign ministry in turn accused Moldova of printing only 10,000 ballots for 500,000 eligible Moldovans living in Russia.
On 17 October, Moldovan authorities announced the discovery of another plot in which 100 youths were trained in Moscow, Serbia and Bosnia by private military groups to foment civil unrest, including using nonlethal weapons to create "mass disorder" during the election and referendum, adding that four people had been arrested and that some of them received several thousand euros in payments.
Olga Roșca, a foreign policy adviser to Sandu, warned that "Russia is pouring millions in dirty money to hijack our democratic processes. This isn't just meddling, it's full-blown interference aimed at destabilising our future. And it is alarming."
The European Union deployed its Cyber Rapid Response Team led by Lithuania to Moldova in order to oversee cybersecurity concerns in the election and referendum following a request from the Moldovan Information Technology and Cyber Security Service.
On 31 October, authorities raided a political party headquarters and accused 12 people of engaging in vote-buying. Forty government employees were also placed under investigation for selling their votes. On 1 November, Prime Minister Dorin Recean reported cases of "anonymous death threats via phone calls" being made on citizens nationwide, which he described as an attempt to scare voters. On the day of the runoff vote, the CEC said that it had received reports of organised and illegal transportation of voters to Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Stanislav Secrieru, a national security adviser to Sandu, wrote on X: "We are seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process," which he warned had a "high potential to distort the outcome" of the vote.
Moldovan citizens living abroad, mostly those working or studying overseas, who were eligible to vote faced other security issues at the second round of voting including false bomb threats at polling stations that temporarily disrupted voting in multiple cities in Germany and in Liverpool and Northampton in the United Kingdom. After polling stations in Germany, located in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern and Berlin were targeted by bomb threats, the German government, via foreign minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the "massive, coordinated attempt" to prevent Moldovans abroad voting, describing bomb threats against Moldovan polling stations in Germany as "totally unacceptable".
On 6 November, the Russian foreign ministry summoned Moldovan ambassador Lilian Darius to complain about Moldova barring eight Russian election observers from entering the country to monitor the election and referendum.
Election
First round
Approximately 2.8 million ballots were issued for the election and the EU membership referendum. For the first time in Moldova, ballots were featured not only in Romanian but also in as many as five minority languages. Thus, 2,092,641 ballots were in Romanian, 631,979 in Russian, 3,400 in Gagauz, 991 in Bulgarian, 870 in the Romani language and 115 in Ukrainian. For voters in the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria, 90,000 ballots were issued, of which 45,000 were in Romanian and the rest in Russian.
For the election and the referendum, 234 polling stations were opened abroad. The first vote in both was cast by Ludmila Vizdoagă, a woman who at the time had lived in South Korea for 19 years. She traveled from Seoul to Tokyo to vote in the polling station for Japan, which was the first to be opened. A polling station was also set up in Varnița to serve voters from Transnistria.
Voting was held from 07:00 to 21:00. As of 15:00, the minimum turnout of 33.33% necessary for the validation of the election had been reached with a turnout of 35.57%.
Second round
1,988 polling stations were opened throughout Moldova, including 30 that were utilised for voters living in Transnistria who had to go to Moldovan-held territory. Promo-LEX observers detected 109 incidents at polling stations or in their immediate vicinity. These included the presence of electoral advertising material near polling stations, electoral agitation, the unjustified presence of unauthorized persons, violations of the secrecy of the vote, obstruction of access to observers and unjustified interruption of the vote.
Campaign
In the presidential debate, Sandu accused Stoianoglo of being a "Trojan horse" candidate for outside interests wanting control of Moldova. She declared she will continue her pro-European course, saying, "Joining the European Union is Moldova's Marshall Plan".
Stoianoglo denied working on behalf of Russia. He claimed that he was in favour of joining the EU, but boycotted the EU membership referendum, calling it a "parody". He has also declined to criticize the Kremlin for its invasion of Ukraine and called for improved relations with Russia. He said; "the level of Russian interference in Moldova is highly exaggerated", adding that he would seek a "reset of relations" with Russia.
Candidates
Between 21 and 31 August, the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova (CEC) received 23 applications for the registration of initiative groups in support of 19 candidates, of which 13 applications were accepted. Two of these initiative groups failed to get their candidate registered into the election.
Name | Born | Campaign | Experience | Party | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maia Sandu |
24 May 1972 (52) Risipeni, Fălești District |
(website) |
President of Moldova (2020–present) Prime Minister of Moldova (2019) Minister of Education (2012–2015) |
Independent | Registered | |
Alexandr Stoianoglo |
3 June 1967 (57) | Prosecutor General of Moldova (2019–2021)
Vice President of the Parliament (2009–2010) |
Independent | Registered | ||
Renato Usatîi |
4 November 1978 (46) Fălești |
(website) |
Mayor of Bălți (2015–2018, 2019–2021) | Our Party | Registered | |
Vasile Tarlev |
9 October 1963 (61) | (website) |
Prime Minister of Moldova (2001–2008) | Future of Moldova Party endorsed by the Party of Communists |
Registered | |
Irina Vlah |
26 February 1974 (50)
Comrat |
(website) |
Governor of Gagauzia (2015–2023) | Independent | Registered | |
Ion Chicu |
28 February 1972 (52) | Prime Minister of Moldova (2019–2020)
Minister of Finance (2018–2019) |
Party of Development and Consolidation of Moldova | Registered | ||
Andrei Năstase |
6 August 1975 (49) | (website) |
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs (2019) | Independent | Registered | |
21 August 1972 (52) | Member of the Moldovan Parliament (2019–2021)
Minister of Youth and Sport (2013) |
Together Bloc | Registered | |||
Victoria Furtună | 24 February 1981 (43) | (website) |
Anti-corruption prosecutor | Independent | Registered | |
Tudor Ulianovschi |
25 May 1983 (41) | (website) |
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (2018–2019)
Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein; Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2016–2018) |
Independent | Registered | |
Natalia Morari |
12 January 1984 (40)
Hîncești |
(website) |
Journalist
Host of Morari.live |
Independent | Registered |
Rejected candidates
The following people had their registration as candidates for the election rejected by the Central Electoral Commission:
- Igor Munteanu (Coalition for Unity and Welfare), Ambassador to the United States, Canada and Mexico (2010–2015); he had previously gotten his initiative group registered, but the CEC invalidated some of the signatures in his support submitted by his party and he fell short of the minimum number required for his registration as a candidate.
- Vasile Bolea (independent), Member of the Moldovan Parliament (2014–present); the CEC rejected his registration as a candidate, arguing that he was backed by the bloc Victory and the party Revival despite having claimed to have disassociated himself from Revival to participate as an independent candidate. Revival is part of the bloc Victory, led by fugitive Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor. The CEC did not allow Victory to participate in the election.
- Valeriu Pleșca (European Social Democratic Party), Minister of Defense (2004–2007)
- Valentin Borodachi (independent)
- Ludmila Corsun (independent)
- Avelin Tabarcea (independent)
Furthermore, Alexandru Arseni, whose initiative group supporting his candidacy had been successfully registered, did not submit the necessary documents for his inscription on the ballot of the election, having previously failed to obtain the required number of signatures in his support within the required time frame.
Declined
The following people were subjects of speculation about their potential candidacy within the previous months, but they rejected the speculation and announced they would not run as a candidate:
- Ion Ceban, Mayor of Chișinău (2019–present)
- Igor Dodon, President of Moldova (2016–2020)
- Vlad Filat, Prime Minister of Moldova (2009–2013)
- Teodor Cârnaț, Member of the Superior Council of Magistrates (2013–2017)
Opinion polls
Registered candidates
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | Undecided/ Abstention/ None/ Other | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Stoianoglo | Usatîi | Tarlev | Vlah | Chicu | Năstase | Țîcu | Furtună | Ulianovschi | Morari | ||||
Ind./PAS | Ind./PSRM | PN | PVM | Independent | PDCM | Independent | BÎ | Independent | Independent | Independent | ||||
11–16 Oct 2024 | WatchDog | 1,034 | 35.8% | 9.0% | 6.4% | 1.3% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.4% | 1.4% | 0.1% | 0.5% | 40.9% |
19 Sep–10 Oct 2024 | iData–IPP | 1,100 | 29.5% | 11.6% | 13.3% | 6.1% | 4.5% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 5.5% | 4.3% | 0.4% | 18.9% |
13–22 Sep 2024 | ASPEN–APEC–WatchDog | 1,021 | 36.1% | 10.1% | 7.5% | 1.8% | 4.1% | 2.5% | 0.6% | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.8% | 0.6% | 34.6% |
13–18 Sep 2024 | iData | 1,021 | 26.8% | 11.2% | 12.7% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 4.1% | 0.9% | 0.7% | 0.1% | 3.5% | 1.8% | 25.8% |
30 Aug–2 Sep 2024 | Intellect Group | 596 | 24.5% | 12.0% | 6.2% | 4.7% | 5.0% | 1.5% | 3.5% | – | – | – | 2.0% | 40.6% |
19–25 Aug 2024 | iData | 1,004 | 27.5% | 11.4% | 11.6% | 5.8% | 3.3% | 2.8% | 1.2% | – | – | – | – | 36.4% |
20–23 Aug 2024 | CBS Research–WatchDog | 1,011 | 35.5% | 9.9% | 6.8% | 1.8% | 5.8% | 3.0% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 34.0% |
8–21 Jul 2024 | IMAS | 1,093 | 33.7% | 11.5% | 10.8% | 1.2% | 8.9% | 6.0% | 1.4% | 0.9% | – | 0.1% | 1.1% | 24.4% |
Second round
Sandu vs. Stoianoglo
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | None/ Undecided/ Abstention | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Stoianoglo | ||||
Ind./PAS | Ind./PSRM | ||||
19 Sep–10 Oct 2024 | iData | 1,100 | 40.6% | 36.4% | 23% |
Hypothetical polling
Opinion polls before the start of the campaign
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | Other | None/ Undecided/ Abstention | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Dodon | Stoianoglo | Ceban | Shor | Voronin | Chicu | Tauber | Usatîi | Vlah | |||||
Ind./PAS | PSRM | Ind./PSRM | MAN | ȘOR | PCRM | PDCM | ȘOR | PN | Independent | |||||
28 Jun–18 Jul 2024 | CBS-AXA-IPRE | 1,119 | 30.3% | 13.0% | 1.0% | 5.4% | 2.5% | 3.4% | 3.2% | – | 6.5% | 5.6% | 6.3% | 23% |
23 May–13 Jun 2024 | IRI | 1,225 | 34% | 18% | – | 4% | 4% | – | 5% | – | 5% | 4% | 3% | 24% |
22–27 May 2024 | iData | 1,022 | 30.4% | 14.3% | – | 3.0% | – | 2.5% | 6.1% | – | 3.9% | 1.6% | 6.1% | 32.1% |
2–19 May 2024 | IMAS | 1,088 | 35.2% | 16.4% | – | 5.9% | – | 5.3% | 5.7% | – | 4.7% | 4.1% | 7.8% | 14.9% |
6–13 Apr 2024 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,008 | 35.1% | 15.8% | – | 5.4% | 1.7% | 4.6% | 5.6% | – | 3.9% | 4.5% | 5.3% | 18.0% |
18–24 Mar 2024 | iData | 1,131 | 27.9% | 13.3% | – | 4.4% | – | 2.6% | 5.7% | – | 3.0% | 4.3% | 6.5% | 32.3% |
27 Jan–22 Feb 2024 | IRI | 1,247 | 30% | 24% | – | 6% | 4% | – | 5% | – | 4% | 4% | 1% | 22% |
7–12 Feb 2024 | CBS Research | 1,104 | 29.8% | 14.8% | – | 4.5% | 8.5% | 1.6% | 5.0% | – | 4.4% | 4.8% | 4.1% | 22.4% |
26–30 Jan 2024 | iData | 1,011 | 24.1% | 29.7% | 46.2% | |||||||||
29 Nov–16 Dec 2023 | IMAS | 954 | 30.1% | 24.0% | – | 8.1% | – | 2.7% | 6.1% | – | 4.1% | 5.6% | 6.0% | 13.3% |
2–24 Sep 2023 | IMAS | 822 | 27.8% | 16.0% | – | 6.0% | – | 4.3% | 5.9% | – | 6.0% | 4.9% | 4.7% | 24.4% |
9–23 Aug 2023 | CBS-AXA–IPP | 1,215 | 29.4% | 18.1% | – | 5.6% | 3.2% | 1.5% | 4.1% | – | 5.1% | – | 3.0% | 30.1% |
13–28 Jun 2023 | CBS-AXA–IPRE | 1,120 | 32.6% | 17.8% | – | 5.3% | 3.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 3.0% | 4.3% | – | 1.5% | 24.0% |
10–19 Jun 2023 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,121 | 37.9% | 14.2% | – | 6.2% | 2.5% | 4.7% | 5.0% | 3.5% | 4.7% | – | 3.0% | 18.3% |
2–19 May 2023 | IMAS | 1,112 | 28.5% | 23.9% | – | 8.3% | – | 3.7% | 7.2% | 2.7% | 3.8% | – | 4.1% | 18.0% |
27 Apr–8 May 2023 | iData | 1,049 | 30.4% | 18.3% | – | 6.7% | 12.2% | – | 5.9% | – | 4.5% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 17.7% |
4–13 Apr 2023 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,015 | 38.3% | 18.4% | – | 6.2% | 2.5% | 3.2% | 4.9% | 2.2% | 3.2% | – | 1.9% | 19.2% |
15–26 Mar 2023 | iData | 1,065 | 29.4% | 17.6% | – | 7.2% | 9.2% | 0.9% | 5.4% | – | 1.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 23.9% |
24 Feb–3 Mar 2023 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,000 | 31.8% | 17.8% | – | 4.7% | 2.0% | 3.5% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 28.8% |
6–23 Feb 2023 | IMAS | 1,100 | 25.2% | 20.4% | – | 8.2% | – | 4.9% | 5.4% | 4.3% | 3.4% | – | 3.8% | 24.6% |
17–26 Jan 2023 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,001 | 28.2% | 17.6% | – | 8.5% | 4.2% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 2.4% | 3.5% | 1.8% | 4.0% | 21.8% |
15–26 Dec 2022 | iData | 1,006 | 27.2% | 24.1% | – | 10.0% | 13.4% | 0.6% | 5.0% | 0.2% | 0.5% | 0.1% | 3.0% | 16.0% |
10–29 Nov 2022 | IMAS | 1,100 | 26.9% | 19.6% | – | 8.8% | – | 4.0% | 7.1% | 2.8% | 2.2% | – | 7.3% | 21.3% |
29 Oct–10 Nov 2022 | CBS Research/IPP | 1,134 | 27.3% | 15.4% | – | 7.1% | 9.1% | 4.3% | – | – | 2.9% | – | 3.5% | 30.5% |
29 Sep–11 Oct 2022 | IDIS–CBS Research–IPRI | 1,066 | 34.1% | 19.1% | – | 7.1% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 2.5% | – | 3.3% | 1.2% | 3.2% | 18.1% |
6–18 Jul 2022 | IMAS | 1,007 | 24.4% | 25.4% | – | 9.2% | – | 7.1% | 5.2% | 3.6% | 2.8% | – | c. 5.4% | 16.0% |
Hypothetical second rounds
Sandu vs. Ceban
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | None/ Undecided/ Abstention | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Ceban | ||||
Ind./PAS | MAN | ||||
6–13 Apr 2024 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,008 | 40.2% | 32.3% | 27.4% |
7–12 Feb 2024 | CBS Research | 1,104 | 39.5% | 35% | 25.8% |
29 Nov–16 Dec 2023 | IMAS | 954 | 34% | 42% | 24% |
Sandu vs. Chicu
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | None/ Undecided/ Abstention | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Chicu | ||||
Ind./PAS | PDCM | ||||
19 Sep–10 Oct 2024 | iData | 1,100 | 40.7% | 30.1% | 29.2% |
Sandu vs. Dodon
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | None/ Undecided/ Abstention | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Dodon | ||||
Ind./PAS | PSRM | ||||
2–19 May 2024 | IMAS | 1,088 | 41.3% | 43.5% | 15.3% |
6–13 Apr 2024 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,008 | 42.2% | 34.9% | 22.9% |
7–12 Feb 2024 | CBS Research | 1,104 | 40.2% | 39.3% | 20.4% |
29 Nov–16 Dec 2023 | IMAS | 954 | 35% | 46% | 19% |
2–19 May 2023 | IMAS | 1,112 | 38% | 45% | 17% |
Sandu vs. Usatîi
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | None/ Undecided/ Abstention | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Usatîi | ||||
Ind./PAS | PN | ||||
19 Sep–10 Oct 2024 | iData | 1,100 | 38.6% | 35.6% | 25.8% |
13–18 Sep 2024 | iData | 1,021 | 35.1% | 32.2% | 32.7% |
29 Nov–16 Dec 2023 | IMAS | 954 | 37% | 30% | 33% |
Sandu vs. Vlah
Fieldwork date |
Polling firm/ Commissioner |
Sample size | None/ Undecided/ Abstention | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandu | Vlah | ||||
Ind./PAS | Independent | ||||
19 Sep–10 Oct 2024 | iData | 1,100 | 40.2% | 33.2% | 26.6% |
6–13 Apr 2024 | CBS-AXA–WatchDog | 1,008 | 43.2% | 28.3% | 28.5% |
7–12 Feb 2024 | CBS Research | 1,104 | 42.2% | 33% | 24.7% |
29 Nov–16 Dec 2023 | IMAS | 954 | 38% | 35% | 27% |
Endorsements
Party endorsements
The table below lists the political parties and other political organizations that supported any of the candidates in the first and second rounds of the presidential election.
Second round candidate endorsements
Candidate | First round | Endorsement | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Renato Usatîi | 13.79% | No endorsement | ||
Irina Vlah | 5.38% | Against Sandu | ||
Victoria Furtună | 4.45% | Alexandr Stoianoglo | ||
Vasile Tarlev | 3.19% | Against Sandu | ||
Ion Chicu | 2.06% | Against Sandu | ||
Octavian Țîcu | 0.93% | Against Stoianoglo | ||
Andrei Năstase | 0.64% | No endorsement | ||
Natalia Morari | 0.61% | Against Sandu | ||
Tudor Ulianovschi | 0.52% | No endorsement |
Results
First round
Incumbent president Maia Sandu and Alexandr Stoianoglo advanced to the runoff, with Sandu winning the first round with about 42.5 percent of votes. She did best in the central part of the country, winning 48.32% of the vote in Chișinău, she underperformed her best result of 59.97% in Ialoveni District. Sandu's strongest result was abroad, with 70.71% of the vote. In contrast, she recorded her worst results in the autonomy of Gagauzia and the Bulgarian-majority Taraclia District, at 2.26% and 4.44% of the vote, respectively. Meanwhile, Stoianoglo, a native of Gagauzia secured his best result there, with slightly less than 50% of the vote. In addition to Gagauzia, he also performed well in the north of the country, as well as Taraclia.
Second round
Incumbent president Maia Sandu defeated Alexandr Stoianoglo with about 55% of votes, compared to 45% of votes. Stoianoglo led the counting within Moldova, particularly among rural areas and in the south of the country and Transnistria, winning 51.2%. He recorded back-to-back landslide results in Gagauzia and Taraclia, winning more than 90% of the vote in each. However, Sandu led votes in Chișinău and other cities, among the youth and the Moldovan diaspora, where she won 83% of the vote. She secured her best result in Ialoveni District, which was also her strongest performance in the first round. Stoianoglo won seven subdivisions he lost in the first round: he secured Fălești District first won by Usatîi, as well as Sîngerei, Șoldănești, Dubăsari, Basarabeasca, Cahul districts and Botanica in Chișinău previously won by Sandu.
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Maia Sandu | Independent (PAS) | 656,852 | 42.49 | 930,238 | 55.35 | |
Alexandr Stoianoglo | Independent (Party of Socialists) | 401,215 | 25.95 | 750,370 | 44.65 | |
Renato Usatîi | Our Party | 213,169 | 13.79 | |||
Irina Vlah | Independent | 83,193 | 5.38 | |||
Victoria Furtună | Independent | 68,778 | 4.45 | |||
Vasile Tarlev | Future of Moldova Party endorsed by the Party of Communists | 49,316 | 3.19 | |||
Ion Chicu | Party of Development and Consolidation | 31,797 | 2.06 | |||
Octavian Țîcu | Together Bloc | 14,326 | 0.93 | |||
Andrei Năstase | Independent | 9,946 | 0.64 | |||
Natalia Morari | Independent | 9,444 | 0.61 | |||
Tudor Ulianovschi | Independent | 7,995 | 0.52 | |||
Total | 1,546,031 | 100.00 | 1,680,608 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 1,546,031 | 98.82 | 1,680,608 | 98.86 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 18,464 | 1.18 | 19,337 | 1.14 | ||
Total votes | 1,564,495 | 100.00 | 1,699,945 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 3,023,506 | 51.74 | 3,128,349 | 54.34 | ||
Source: Central Electoral Commission (first round), Central Electoral Commission (second round) |
-
Sandu's results by district, first round
-
Sandu's results by district, second round
-
Stoianoglo's results by district, first round
Aftermath
First round
President Sandu attributed the result of the first round and the referendum to foreign interference and described it as an "unprecedented assault on democracy", adding that her government had evidence that 150,000 votes had been bought, with an objective of 300,000. The European Union also said that the two exercises had taken place "under unprecedented interference and intimidation by Russia and its proxies". The United States also noted Russian attempts to "undermine Moldova's election and its European integration". The Kremlin, in response, had denounced the votes in Moldova as "unfree", casting doubt on what it said was a "hard-to-explain" increase in votes in favor of Sandu and the EU referendum, and challenged her to "present evidence" of meddling.
Instances of vote buying
Four hundred Moldovan citizens were investigated for allegedly receiving money to choose the "no" option in the referendum and vote for a determined candidate in the presidential election. Those found guilty would have been fined 37,000 Moldovan lei (over 1,900 euros), but were given the option of not receiving punishment if they cooperated with the authorities.
The head of the Moldovan Police, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, stated on 24 October that since September, a total of $39 million, including 15 million that month and 24 million in October, had been transferred to over 138,000 people in Moldova through the Russian bank Promsvyazbank, which is banned in Moldova. He added that the number of people that had benefited from this system would be much greater as they would have received money not only for themselves but also for members of their family. This money transfer system was believed to have started in late spring, and was carried out through applications that people downloaded with instructions from interactive chatbots on Telegram. This allowed them to enter the system and benefit from transfers from the bank. Cernăuțeanu stated that Moldovan police had documented and stopped the activity of such bots in 97 Telegram groups.
International reactions
The OSCE election observation mission wrote that the voting process was received "overwhelmingly positively" by its observers. According to the report, "the election administration worked professionally and demonstrated impartiality in their decision-making", while "fundamental freedoms were generally respected and contestants could campaign freely". Regarding media landscape, the report stated that "the majority of ODIHR EOM interlocutors informed that conditions for media work without interference have improved", however it also noted misuse of administrative resources by Sandu's campaign and concluded that media coverage did not provide fully equal opportunities, with several media organizations, most notably the public broadcaster Teleradio-Moldova, favouring Sandu and the government. The Electoral Commission also did not resolve complaints in timely manner, and failed to properly address allegations of misuse of office by the incumbent. The report also acknowledged concerns over illicit foreign interference and disinformation campaigns.
Domestic reactions
In a statement on 24 October, Sandu stated that, despite the instances of vote buying, she had rejected suggestions of annulling and repeating the elections as "no one has the right to deny citizens a massive, honest and free expression of their will". She further stated that, without the buying of votes, "we would have had a clear victory for both the presidential elections and the referendum", and also urged the Moldovan judiciary to "wake up" and address the issue of electoral bribery. Former Moldovan Defence Minister Anatol Salaru said ahead of the run-off, that the result would decide whether Moldova would "continue the process of European integration or return to the Russia fold".
Second round
Sandu declared in her victory speech; "Moldova, you are victorious! Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books. Today, you have saved Moldova". She went on to announce that the election had faced an unprecedented attack through alleged schemes including dirty money, vote-buying, and electoral interference "by hostile forces from outside the country" and criminal groups. She pledged to be a "president for all" and concluded: "You have shown that nothing can stand in the way of the people's power when they choose to speak through their vote". Her speech was delivered in Romanian and partly in Russian.
Speaking before the final vote count, Stoianoglo told the media that "everyone's voice deserves respect" and that he hopes "from now on, we will put an end to the hatred and division imposed on us." The Party of Socialists alleged that voting was marred by irregularities and the reduction of polling stations available for Moldovans living in Russia. It also called Sandu an "illegitimate president". PRSM leader Igor Dodon also called Sandu "a president of the diaspora", citing her strong showing among overseas voters. Stoianoglo formally conceded on 6 November, while noting that he had led in the counting within Moldova and describing his loss as "not a final defeat, it is only a lost battle".
International reactions
Marcel Ciolacu, Prime Minister of Romania, congratulated Maia Sandu and said Moldovans chose to defend their democracy and continue their pro-European Union path. He declared that Moldovans "reconfirmed in front of the whole world not only their courage, but also their full confidence in their European future!" despite Russian attempts at vote-buying. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Sandu, with Von der Leyen saying that "it takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you've faced in this election. French President Emmanuel Macron also praised the result, saying that democracy had "triumphed over all interference and all maneuvers". Congratulations were also sent by German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the election as "neither democratic nor fair" and refused to recognise Sandu as president, saying that overseas Moldovan voters in Russia were disenfranchised. The Russian foreign ministry accused the West of "blatant interference" in the election and Moldovan authorities of "unprecedented repression against the opposition".
Notes
- ^ The President of Moldova traditionally resigns from party membership after taking office. Although Sandu was officially an independent, her campaign was endorsed and funded by Party of Action and Solidarity. On the election ballot, Maia Sandu is designated as a PAS candidate.
- ^ Although Stoianoglo was officially an independent, his campaign was endorsed and funded by Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova. On the election ballot, Alexandr Stoianoglo is designated as a PSRM candidate.
- ^ Munteanu, and the Coalition for Unity and Welfare, were a member of Together Bloc, and nominated and endorsed Octavian Țîcu; however, Munteanu and the party split from the block, claiming Țîcu was too conservative.
- ^ Political organization, not a party, led by Irina Vlah
- ^ Member party of the Together Bloc
- ^ Political bloc, not a party, led by Ilan Shor
- ^ Allegedly supported Victoria Furtună
References
- ^ "Modelul buletinelor de vot". a.cec.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldova announces presidential elections, EU accession referendum for October". TVP World. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Moldovans cast votes to choose president and decide on EU path as Russian interference claims spike". Associated Press. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova's Sandu takes lead in election with 92% of vote counted". Reuters.
- ^ "Moldovans go to polls to decide whether future lies with Russia or the west". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova's pro-EU leader in tight run-off as Russia accused of meddling". BBC. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ iuliane (21 October 2024). "Tight outcome in Moldova's pro-EU public referendum and presidential elections". Romania Insider. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Early results show 50% of Moldovans vote "yes" at referendum on EU aspirations". Reuters.
- ^ "Moldova, Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum, 20 October 2024: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions". www.osce.org. OSCE. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldovans cast votes to choose president and decide on EU path as Russian interference claims spike". Associated Press. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova to hold referendum on joining EU in October". The Kyiv Independent. 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Moldova To Hold Presidential Vote, EU Referendum In October". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Moldova (Republic of) 1994 (rev. 2016) Constitution". constituteproject.org. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Regulations" (PDF). old.cec.md. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ Botnaru, Nicoleta (18 October 2024). "Tot ce trebuie să știi despre alegerile prezidențiale din 20 octombrie 2024". #diez (in Romanian).
- ^ "Statutul și atribuțiile președintelui Republicii Moldova". www.presedinte.md.
- ^ Sauer, Pjotr (20 October 2024). "Moldova president condemns 'assault' on democracy by 'foreign forces' as EU vote hangs in balance". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "US, Britain, Canada accuse Russia of plot to sway Moldova election". Reuters. 13 June 2024.
- ^ "Exposing Russia's subversive activity and electoral interference targeting Moldova: joint statement by the US, Canada, and the UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Joint Statement Exposing Russia's Subversive Activity and Electoral Interference Targeting Moldova". United States Department of State. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Joint Statement by the Governments of the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom Exposing Russia's Subversive Activity and Electoral Interference Targeting Moldova". Government of Canada. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "US sanctions pro-Russia governor of Moldova's Gagauzia region". Reuters.
- ^ "Moldovan broadcaster's headquarters targeted in pre-election vandalism spree". The Kyiv Independent. 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Moldova uncovers $15 million Russian-backed plot to influence upcoming elections with bribes and disinformation". The Kyiv Independent. 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova Uncovers 'Unprecedented' Pro-Russia Vote Rigging". The Moscow Times. 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Kremlin Denies Meddling in Moldova's Elections". The Moscow Times. 13 October 2024.
- ^ "Russian cash-for-votes flows into Moldova as nation heads to polls". BBC. 19 October 2024.
- ^ "EU Sanctions Moldova's Regional Gagauz Leaders Ahead of Key Vote". Yahoo News. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova: President Maia Sandu accuses 'foreign forces' of voter fraud". Sky News. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Statement by the U.S. Embassy in Moldova | Oct. 16, 2024". U.S. Embassy in Moldova. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova Says Russia Planning to Illegally Bus In Voters to Moscow Polling Stations". The Moscow Times. 16 October 2024.
- ^ "EU candidate Moldova to hold two pivotal votes as officials denounce Russian 'hybrid attacks'". Associated Press. 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Lithuanian-led cyber response team deployed in Moldova during election". LRT. 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldovans vote in tense presidential run-off amid Russian meddling claims". Al Jazeera. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldova's pro-EU leader in tight run-off as Russia accused of meddling". BBC. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldovans choose president in decisive runoff overshadowed by fraud and intimidation claims". AP News. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Pro-EU leader claims Moldova victory despite alleged Russian meddling". BBC. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Rankin, Jennifer (4 November 2024). "Germany accuses Russia of 'massive' effort to stop Moldovans abroad voting". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Russia summons Moldova's ambassador over 'hostile' attitude to Russian election observers". The Kyiv Independent. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Cotoros, Alina (20 October 2024). "Premieră la prezidențiale și referendumul din Republica Moldova: buletine de vot în șase limbi". Adevărul (in Romanian).
- ^ "Moldovans elect president, vote on EU path as claims of Russian meddling spike". France 24. 20 October 2024.
- ^ Turculeț, Capitolina (20 October 2024). "Prezidențiale: Prezența la vot a depășit pragul de validare". Agora (in Romanian).
- ^ Mihăilă, Lorena (3 November 2024). "Alegeri în R. Moldova. Peste 100 de incidente, identificate. Promo-LEX: "Cazuri de transportare organizată a alegătorilor"" (in Romanian). Pro TV.
- ^ Sauer, Pjotr (3 November 2024). "Moldova votes for president in runoff election as Russia hovers". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Polls close in Moldova's tense presidential runoff – DW – 11/03/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Cine ar putea deveni viitorul președinte al Republicii Moldova – sondaj". noi.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "Promo-LEX released the second report of the Observation Mission for the election on 20 October". European Platform for Democratic Elections. 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Maia Sandu registered as a candidate for presidency". IPN Press Agency. 12 September 2024.
- ^ "CEC registers first candidate for office of President". IPN Press Agency. 2 September 2024.
- ^ "Renato Usatyi and Vasile Tarlev officially registered as presidential candidates". IPN Press Agency. 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Renato Usatyi and Vasile Tarlev officially registered as presidential candidates". IPN Press Agency. 18 September 2024.
- ^ "The CEC registered two candidates in the presidential elections and one participant in the referendum" (in Romanian). Central Electoral Commission of Moldova. 21 September 2024.
- ^ "The CEC registered two candidates in the presidential elections and three participants in the referendum" (in Romanian). Central Electoral Commission of Moldova. 23 September 2024.
- ^ "CEC registered the last candidates nominated for the presidential elections of October 20, 2024" (in Romanian). Central Electoral Commission of Moldova. 24 September 2024.
- ^ "COALITION FOR UNITY AND WELFARE (CUB) REFUSES TO SUPPORT OCTAVIAN ȚÎCU AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE". infotag.md. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "Candidatul CUB Igor Munteanu nu va putea candida la prezidențiale. Reacția: instrument de represalii politice contra candidaților incomozi". Ziarul de Gardă (in Romanian). 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Douăzeci au vrut, 13 au reușit. Cine sunt candidații la funcția de președinte care au convins CEC să le înscrie grupurile de inițiativă care îi vor susține în cursa electorală". Ziarul de Gardă (in Romanian). 4 September 2024.
- ^ Stratulat, Cristina (29 August 2024). "Vasile Bolea, candidat independent la alegerile prezidențiale, respins de CEC". NewsMaker (in Romanian).
- ^ "Ultima oră! CEC a respins cererea de înregistrare a grupului de inițiativă al PSDE pentru susținerea lui Valeriu Pleșca la prezidențiale". Unimedia (in Romanian). 24 August 2024.
- ^ "Încă un candidat independent ratează prezidențialele: Un fost membru PACE, care s-a vrut primar de Briceni, nu intră în cursa pentru Președinție". Unimedia (in Romanian). 2 September 2024.
- ^ Stratulat, Cristina (24 August 2024). "Pentru că nu cunoaște limba română, grupul de inițiativă al Ludmilei Corsun la prezidențiale a fost respins de CEC". NewsMaker (in Romanian).
- ^ "Electorala 2024: CEC a respins solicitările de înregistrare a două grupuri de inițiativă" (in Romanian). Radio Chișinău. 2 September 2024.
- ^ "CEC respinge repetat înregistrarea grupului de inițiativă în susținerea lui Avelin Tabarcea, asociat cu Ilan Șor". Ziarul de Gardă (in Romanian). 14 September 2024.
- ^ "CEC a stabilit ordinea de înscriere în buletinul de vot a candidaților la alegerile prezidențiale". Ziarul de Gardă (in Romanian). 25 September 2024.
- ^ Rotari, Iurie (21 September 2024). "Patru candidați la prezidențiale au fost înregistrați, iar alți opt stau la rând" (in Romanian). Radio Europa Liberă Moldova.
- ^ "Ion Ceban spune că nu are ambiții prezidențiale și nu a decis încă dacă va candida sau nu la un nou mandat de primar al Chișinăului". Agora (in Romanian). Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Igor Dodon pleacă din parlament pentru a lupta cu Maia Sandu la alegerile prezidențiale 2024, dacă va scăpa de dosarul Kuliok și Bahamas". CONDE.MD (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Consiliul Republican al PSRM a decis cu vot unanim, în ședința de astăzi, să sprijine candidatul poporului la funcția de președinte – Alexandr Stoianoglo" [The Republican Council of the PSRM at today's meeting unanimously decided to support the people's candidate for president Alexandru Stoianoglo]. dodon.md (in Romanian). 21 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "PLDM accuses government of precluding Filat from running for president". IPN Press Agency. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Sondaj Watchdog realizat prin telefon: Cine sunt favorițiii în cursa pentru prezidențiale. Scrutinul nu se va încheia din primul tur". Unimedia (in Romanian). 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Și Barometrul Opiniei Publice o anunță câștigătoare pe Maia Sandu la alegerile prezidențiale: Cum vor vota cetățenii la referendumul pentru integrare europeană, care va avea loc duminică". Ziarul Național (in Romanian). 17 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "BOP: Câți alegători ar participa la referendumul de duminică și câți ar vota în favoarea aderării Moldovei la UE" (in Romanian). 17 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "Dacă duminica viitoare s-ar organiza alegeri prezidențiale, Maia Sandu ar lua cele mai multe voturi. Ce arată datele unui sondaj realizat de WatchDog – FOTO" (in Romanian). ProTV Chișinău. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ "POLL: PRESIDENT MAIA SANDU LEADS AMONG PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, 26.8% OF RESPONDENTS ARE READY TO VOTE FOR HER". 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Un nou sondaj privind prezidențialele: Maia Sandu ar obține 24,5%..." 6 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Agora". Agora. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Preferințele electorale în cazul alegerilor prezidențiale și parlamentare rezultatele unui sondaj de opinie/". 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Sondaj IMAS. Surprizele de la Prezidențiale: Trei candidați luptă crâncen pentru a intra în turul II cu Maia Sandu". Unimedia (in Romanian). 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "SONDAJ IRI: 34% AR VOTA CU MAIA SANDU LA ALEGERILE PREZIDENȚIALE; 18% – CU IGOR DODON". 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Studiu-sociologic-1_compressed.pdf" (in Romanian). Comunitatea Watchdog. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Maia Sandu și Igor Dodon ar ieși în turul doi la prezidențiale, Barometrul iData" (in Romanian). IPN Press Agency. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "National Survey of Moldova". International Republican Institute. January–February 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "Sondaj: Cîte de reale sînt șansele Maiei Sandu de a cîștiga un nou mandat prezidenția" (in Romanian). noi.md. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "barometrul socio-politic" (PDF) (in Romanian). Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Sandu și Dodon, favoriți la prezidențiale: Printre preferințe apare Irina Vlah, iar 3 lideri de partide se înghesuie pe locul 3". Unimedia (in Romanian). 28 September 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Barometrul Opiniei Publice, septembrie 2023". ipp.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ "Sondaj IPRE: Sandu, urmată de Dodon și Ceban. Cum ar vota moldovenii, dacă duminica viitoare ar avea loc alegeri prezidențiale". Unimedia (in Romanian). 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "/INFOGRAFIC/ Sondaj WatchDog: Trei partide ar ajunge în Legislativ în cazul unor alegeri parlamentare. Preferințele cetățenilor" (in Romanian). tv8.md. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Maia Sandu, umăr la umăr cu pro-rusul Igor Dodon, dacă duminică ar fi alegeri în Republica Moldova / Dodon ar câștiga turul II – sondaj IMAS" (in Romanian). 23 May 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Petru Beșleaga. "(sondaj) În cazul unor alegeri parlamentare în Moldova, trei formațiuni politice ar intra în Parlament" (in Romanian). diez.md. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "SONDAJ. PAS ar avea cele mai multe mandate de deputat, iar Maia Sandu ar câștiga detașat primul tur, dacă duminica viitoare ar avea loc alegeri" (in Romanian). tvrmoldova.md. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "PREZIDENȚIALE: MAIA SANDU AR OBȚINE 29.4% DIN VOTURILE CETĂȚENILOR, IGOR DODON CU 17.6%" (in Romanian). tribuna.md. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Sondaj WatchDog: Trei partide ar accede în Parlament, dacă duminica viitoare ar avea loc alegeri" (in Romanian). tv8.md. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "SONDAJ Dacă duminica viitoare ar avea loc alegeri, în Parlamentul R. Moldova ar accede trei formațiuni" (in Romanian). 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ "Sondaj Socio-Politic Republica Moldova Ianuarie 2023" (PDF) (in Romanian). watchdog.md. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "SONDAJ: Maia Sandu ar acumula cele mai multe voturi, în cazul în care duminica viitoare ar avea loc alegeri prezidențiale" (in Romanian). vocebasarabiei.md. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "Ar rămână Maia Sandu preșidentele Republicii Moldova dacă duminica viitoare ar avea loc alegerile prezidențiale. Ce arată datele unui sondaj – FOTO". www.protv.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "BOP 2022: Sandu continuă să se bucure de încrederea moldovenilor, iar în Parlament ar accede trei partide" (in Romanian). Radio Europa Liberă Moldova. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "Dodon, nicio șansă să ajungă din nou președintele R. Moldova: Primii TREI favoriți la șefia statului" (in Romanian). twnews.it. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "GALERIE FOTO: Foto: publika.md – SONDAJ IMAS: Moldovenii vor alegeri parlamentare și prezidențiale anticipate. Pentru cine ar vota?". Publika.md (in Romanian). 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ NEWTV. "New TV – Congresul Civic, în frunte cu Tkaciuk, l-ar putea susține pe Stoianoglo la alegerile prezidențiale". newtv.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Renato Usatîi, despre cei doi candidați la prezidențiale: "În grupul de susținători ai domnului Stoianoglo stau ticăloși cum sunt Filat, Platon, Caramalac și alții". Ce a zis despre Maia Sandu". zdg.md (in Romanian). Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Ирина Влах – гражданам: "Спасите страну! Призываю вас принять активное участие в выборах 3 ноября"". noi.md (in Russian). Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Vasile Tarlev își cheamă susținătorii să voteze împotriva Maiei Sandu: "Fiecare om cinstit are o singură alegere"". tv8.md. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ "PCRM îl susține pe Alexandr Stoianoglo în turul doi al prezidențialelor: "Cu Maia Sandu țara va pierde suveranitatea şi identitatea"". UNIMEDIA (in Romanian). 25 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Ion Chicu își cheamă susținătorii să voteze împotriva Maiei Sandu: "Să fim cinstiți cu alegătorii noștri!"". tv8.md. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Țîcu și-a îndemnat susținătorii să voteze împotriva lui Stoianoglo". stiri.md (in Romanian). 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ Достоевский, Генри (19 October 2024). "Молдавский оппозиционер Шор призвал выбрать «неСанду» президентом республики". Главные новости в России и мире – RTVI (in Russian). Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Шор назвал своего кандидата". Новости в Молдове и мире. Независимый информационный портал (in Russian). 19 October 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ Nistor, Mariuța (12 October 2024). "VIDEO/ Victoria Furtună, candidata (in)dependentă de rețeaua lui Șor". Ziarul de Gardă (in Romanian). Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "/VIDEO/ Blocul lui Șor îl va susține pe Stoianoglo la prezidențiale? Răspunsurile lui Bolea și Tauber". tv8.md. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Stoianoglo încearcă să ne întoarcă din drumul nostru European. Așteptarea unui "consens complet" este o capcană care ar amâna la nesfârșit reformele necesare și progresul". Alianța Liberalilor și Democraților pentru Europa (in Romanian). 24 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Filat: 40% – Maia Sandu și 60% – Alexandr Stoianoglo este scenariul pe țară în turul II al alegerilor. Diaspora va schimba puțin această diferență zdrobitoare". UNIMEDIA (in Romanian). 25 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Filat, despre turul II al alegerilor: Surprizele pentru PAS abia încep". stiri.md. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Conferința de presă al Partidul Verde Ecologist din Moldova privitor la al doilea tur electoral" (in Romanian). 29 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Astăzi a avut loc ședința Consiliului Republican al Partidului Liberal" (in Romanian). 27 October 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ Gandrabur, Corneliu (29 October 2024). "CUB îndeamnă cetățenii la un vot rațional în turul II: "Viitorul președinte trebuie să fie garantul bunăstării și unității naționale" Telegraph – Agenție de presă". Telegraph – Agenție de presă. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Victoria Furtună îndeamnă votanții să-l susțină pe Stoianoglo". IPN (in Romanian). 29 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Pe cine va susţine Andrei Năstase în al doilea tur al alegerilor". noi.md (in Russian). Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Dragi concetățeni, În turul II votăm NU Maia Sandu!" – Morari campaign Facebook page
- ^ ""Moldova are nevoie de o alternativă reală": Mesajul lui Ulianovschi, în contextul turului II al alegerilor prezidențiale". tv8.md. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldovan president appears set to win 1st round of presidential race, but EU vote could be rejected". AP News. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Ciesielska, Paulina (21 October 2024). "Gagauzia votes overwhelmingly against EU integration". msn.com. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Socor, Vladimir. "Bessarabia's 'Ethnographic Harlequin' in a Regional Perspective". jamestown.org. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Ciobanu, Cornel (23 August 2021). "DISINFORMATION: The government in Chisinau is undermining Gagauzia's autonomy". veridica.co. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Necsutu, Madalin (21 October 2024). "Moldova Leader Slams 'Attack on Democracy' as Presidential Polls Go to Run-Off". balkaninsight.com. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Alegeri pentru funcția de Preşedinte al Republicii Moldova, Turul II". Comisia Electorală Centrală a Republicii Moldova. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldova's diaspora tipped the scales in a pivotal election. Critics question the vote's validity". Associated Press. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldova's pro-EU president claims election win amid Russian meddling claims". Al Jazeera. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldova says 'Yes' to pro-EU constitutional changes by tiny margin". BBC. 21 October 2024.
- ^ McGrath, Stephen (21 October 2024). "Moldova narrowly votes to secure path toward EU membership after accusing Russia of interference". Associated Press. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Moldova leader decries vote meddling after slim majority backs joining the E.U." NBC News. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Sute de alegători din Moldova sunt anchetați pentru că și-ar fi vândut votul Moscovei. Riscă o amendă uriașă" (in Romanian). Pro TV. 23 October 2024.
- ^ Conovali, Mihaela (24 October 2024). "Transferuri de până la $39 mln pentru a "corupe masiv electoratul". IGP: circa 138 mii de persoane din Moldova – în contact cu PSB Bank". NewsMaker (in Romanian).
- ^ "Moldova, Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum, 20 October 2024: Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions". www.osce.org. OSCE. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Tecuceanu, Paul (25 October 2024). "De ce nu au fost anulate alegerile din Republica Moldova, în ciuda fraudelor masive. Explicațiile oferite de Maia Sandu" (in Romanian). Pro TV.
- ^ "EU hails re-election of pro-EU Maia Sandu in tense Moldova vote". France 24. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "President Sandu's opponent concedes, days after losing Moldovan presidential election". The Kyiv Independent. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Primele rezultate ale alegerilor din Republica Moldova. Maia Sandu conduce cu șapte procente în fața lui Alexandr Stoianoglo". www.digi24.ro (in Romanian). 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Moldova pro-EU leader Sandu wins re-election despite Russian meddling allegations". France 24. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Kremlin Calls Moldovan Presidential Election 'Undemocratic' and 'Unfair'". The Moscow Times. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.