US Secretary of State Antony Blinken commended the Moldovan people on Tuesday for their participation in the recent presidential election and referendum on European Union membership.
However, he cautioned against potential Russian interference in the runoff presidential election scheduled for November 3.
“Amid unprecedented Russian attempts to undermine the Moldovan people’s right to choose their future, a majority voted to amend their constitution to support Moldova’s EU accession,” Blinken stated.
“As we approach the runoff presidential election on November 3, the United States remains apprehensive that Russia will once again try to hinder Moldovans from exercising their sovereign right to elect their leaders,” he added.
Blinken emphasized that the US will continue to back Moldova’s efforts to ensure a credible, transparent, and democratic process on November 3.
The referendum to embed Moldova’s path to EU membership in its Constitution resulted in a narrow ‘yes’ vote.
According to the latest figures from Moldova’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) on Monday, 50.42% of voters supported the constitutional amendment, while 49.58% opposed it, with 99.82% of ballots counted.
On Sunday, Moldovans cast their votes in a presidential election where incumbent President Maia Sandu, perceived as pro-Western, is vying for a second term.
Latest CEC data shows Sandu received 42.31% of the vote, while her closest rival, Alexandr Stoianoglo, garnered 26.07%, leading to a runoff for the presidency on November 3.
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