Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud,

Maia Sandu said she would be president for all, after a run-off against a rival backed by a pro-Russian party.

Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent. The race was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud and intimidation in the European Union candidate country.

The victory for the 52-year-old ex-World Bank adviser is an endorsement of the resolutely pro-Western course she has tacked.

The close election demonstrates the challenging path toward Western democracy for former Soviet states.

For Ms Sandu, who has led Moldova’s pro-Western government since 2021, the support from the electorate signals a continued mandate to pursue EU membership, a trajectory fiercely opposed by Russia. The stakes were high for Moldova’s diaspora, with more than 325,000 casting ballots, mostly in favour of Ms Sandu, marking a record turnout.

Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference.