A member of an electoral commission empties a ballot box after polling stations closed in the course of Moldova's presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, in Chisinau, Moldova Oct 20, 2024. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Stringer)

Moldovans vote 'no' in referendum on joining EU: partial results

· CNA · Join

CHISINAU: Moldovans on Sunday (Oct 20) voted against the ex-Soviet republic joining the EU in a referendum, according to partial results published by the election commission, a potential setback for pro-European President Maia Sandu as she seeks re-election.

With almost 60 per cent of the vote counted, more than 55 per cent said "no" and almost 45 per cent said "yes", but results could yet change as votes are counted in the capital Chisinau, which is favourable to joining the EU, and abroad.

The referendum was at the initiative of Sandu, who cut ties with Moscow and applied for Moldova to join the EU following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Sandu topped the first round of Moldova's presidential vote on Sunday, according to the partial results.

Sandu had 35 percent of the votes and is likely to face her closest competitor Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor backed by the pro-Russian Socialists, in the second round.

So far, he has a higher-than-expected result of almost 30 per cent.

Source: AFP/fs

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here

Related:

Meta removes fake accounts in Moldova ahead of presidential electionSTOCKHOLM :Meta Platforms said on Friday it had removed a network of group accounts targeting Russian-speakers in Moldova ahead of the country's Oct. 20 election, for violation of the company's policy on fake accounts.Authorities in Moldova, an ex-Soviet state lying between Romania and Ukraine, said they had11 Oct 2024Moldova alleges pro-Russian vote-buying scheme ahead of key voteCHISINAU: Pro-Kremlin forces are meddling in Moldova's upcoming presidential election by paying off tens of thousands of voters in a sweeping plot to derail Chisinau's bid for closer European Union ties, police said on Thursday (Oct 3). Incumbent Maia Sandu has portrayed the Oct 20 contest as a test of her03 Oct 2024Ukraine set for symbolic start of EU membership talks, along with MoldovaBRUSSELS: The European Union will open membership talks with Ukraine on Tuesday (Jun 25), giving the country a political boost in the midst of its war against Russia's invasion, although a long and25 Jun 2024Zelenskyy defends 'victory plan' at EU and NATOBRUSSELS: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told allies on Thursday (Oct 17) Ukraine must be in a position of strength before any peace talks with Russia, as he explained his "victory plan" to European Union leaders and NATO defence chiefs in Brussels. More than two and a half years into the war, Kyiv is slowl17 Oct 2024