The pro-European party of Moldovan President Maia Sandu is heading for a clear victory and a new majority in parliament in elections seen as critical for her country’s future path to the EU, the BBC reports.
Sandu had warned of “massive Russian interference” after voting, saying the future of her country, flanked by Ukraine and Romania, was at stake.
Her Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured 50% of the vote, with most of the 1.6m votes counted, far ahead of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc on under 25%. Turnout was 52%, higher than in recent years.
One of the main opposition leaders, Igor Dodon, had claimed victory even before results came in and called for protests outside parliament on Monday.
