Moldova Presidential Election Goes to Second Round

Moldova's presidential election will go to a run-off next month after a candidate Igor Dodon narrowly failed to secure a majority of votes. With almost all ballots counted, Igor Dodon won 48.5%. His closest rival candidate, Maia Sandu, has 38.2%. 

    Dodon needed at least 51% to avoid a second round on 13 November. With turnout put at about 48%, Sandu said young people had been "impeded" from voting, but gave no details. 

    Prime Minister Pavel Filip said in a statement that he hoped the result of the run-off would "bring about both change and stability". Sunday's poll was the first direct presidential election in Moldova for 20 years. It is seen as a battle between those supporting closer ties with Russia and those wanting integration with the European Union. 

    The ex-Soviet republic is one of the poorest countries in Europe and has been hit by a string of high-profile corruption scandals. Since 1996 presidents of Moldova have been chosen by parliament. 

    Both the EU and Russia seek greater influence over the country, which is wedged between Ukraine and Romania, but polls indicate that voters are divided about which offers them a better future.

Source: QNA