Chisinau [Moldova], November 5: Pro-western Moldovan President Maia Sandu is expected to continue leading her country on its reform path towards EU membership, after winning a second term in office.
"We need solidarity," she said in Chisinau on Monday, speaking in Russian as well as the official state language of Romanian, following her victory in Sunday's run-off poll against former attorney general Alexandr Stoianoglo, seen as the pro-Moscow candidate.
Sandu, who secured 55.41% of the vote, expressed her intention to be a president for all, acknowledging the strong performance of her rival Stoianoglo, who won 44.59%.
Sandu owes her victory to the hundreds of thousands of Moldovans living outside the country, especially in the European Union, who were able to participate in the poll.
Stoianoglo, who advocates for economic relations with Moscow, secured a majority of votes cast within Moldova. He called for calm among his supporters. Moldova, which borders EU member Romania and is torn between Russia and the West, must overcome hatred and division, he said.
Sandu received congratulatory messages from across the world, including from Ukraine and Romania, Germany, the EU and China. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted: "It takes a rare kind of strength to overcome the challenges you've faced in this election."
Source: Qatar Tribune