Pro-EU Candidate's Victory in Moldova Brings Relief to European Leaders.

 European leaders breathed a sigh of relief after pro-European Union incumbent Maia Sandu secured victory in Moldova's presidential runoff election. Sandu, who advocates for closer ties with the West, defeated her Russia-backed opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, following an inconclusive first round last month.

With nearly all votes counted on Monday morning, Sandu had captured 55.4% of the total, compared to Stoianoglo’s 44.6%, as reported by Moldova’s Central Electoral Commission. This outcome marked a significant step toward deeper EU integration for the former Soviet republic.

Sandu expressed gratitude to her supporters at home and abroad, highlighting the significant turnout of over 300,000 overseas voters who bolstered her chances. On social media platform X, she stated, “Moldova, today you are victorious. Together, we’ve shown the strength of our unity, democracy, and commitment to a dignified future. Thank you, dear Moldovans, at home and abroad. Walk with pride—you are freedom, hope, and resilience. I am proud to serve you all.”

The small, predominantly agricultural country, located between Ukraine and Romania, has long grappled with the tension between its historical ties to Russia and aspirations for closer European alignment.

Accusations of Russian interference in Moldova's presidential election echoed concerns from recent parliamentary elections in Georgia, where the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party won amidst similar claims of meddling. Moscow denied these allegations and, conversely, accused the West of interfering in Georgian politics.

Sandu’s victory comes on the heels of a referendum last month, where a slim majority of Moldovans voted in favor of enshrining EU membership in the nation’s constitution. This sequence of events has been welcomed by European leaders who view it as a strategic counter to Russian influence on the EU’s eastern frontier.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Sandu, praising her leadership during “difficult times” and affirming Germany’s support for Moldova’s European ambitions. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this sentiment, celebrating the triumph of democracy and reaffirming France’s commitment to supporting Moldova's path toward EU integration. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, commended Sandu’s resilience, noting that overcoming the challenges of the election demonstrated extraordinary strength and expressing eagerness to continue collaborative efforts toward a European future for Moldova.