Moldova’s knife-edge EU referendum deals a blow to Putin

In a highly contested referendum over whether Moldovia will join the European Union, a narrow majority of just 50.17 percent voted in favor, final results revealed on Monday.

The knife edge result for the country to join the EU represents a blow for Russian President Vladimir Putin, while the current president of Moldova, Maia Sandu claimed the referendum was affected by “unprecedented” foreign interference, according to Reuters news agency.

With less than 1.5 percent of the vote still to be counted, the outcome reflects a divided nation as Moldova navigates its future between Russian influence and closer ties with the West, a path Sandu has championed during her presidency.

The presidential election, which took place simultaneously in the country, gave Sandu 42 percent of the vote while former prosecutor-general Alexandr Stoianoglo, her main rival, won 26 percent.

This result has set up a tightly fought run-off between the two due on Nov. 3.

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