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Pro-EU party in Moldova wins final election | Election Issues

Moldova’s largest European-backed party has won a parliamentary election, with strong results, strengthening the hand of President Maia Sandu as the former World Bank economist seeks to rebuild his former Soviet Union.

Weekly elections – called by Sandu in April to defend his views against Russian military forces – saw his right-wing Action and Solidarity (PAS) party win 52.80% of the vote.

The PAS will get 63 seats in a 101-member parliament for four years, the Central Election Commission said on Monday, when all votes were counted.

The socialist and communist alliance, led by former Kremlin President Igor Dodon, came second with 27.17%.

Preliminary results showed that his party was leading late Sunday, Sandu praised what he said was a vote for change in a country riddled with poverty and corruption.

“I believe that today is the end of a difficult period in Moldova. I hope today is the end of the Moldovan dictatorship, ”he said.

His opponent Dodon was not offended by this, saying: “We want more.

He praised his opponents but warned that his troops would be on high alert as it was dangerous for one party to have “all the Moldovan political rulers”.

Dodon told a news conference Monday that “this is a democracy, people want change,” but expressed concern about the potential for reformers in the country.

‘New politicians’

Bound between Ukraine and an EU member in Romania, the country of about 2.6 million people has long been divided on the basis of close cooperation with the European Union or the continued friendship between the Soviet Union and Moscow.

In 2014, Moldova signed an agreement with the EU to forge closer relations, but the high level of corruption and lack of reforms in the country, ranked 115th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2020 Corruption Perception Index.

With loyal lawmakers loyal to Dodon, 46, who blocked Sandu’s election vows after he won the election in November, he disrupted parliament and prepared a brief vote.

The 49-year-old financial pledge of loyalty and skill has been touched by many Moldovans, who in recent years have seen their country shake by political unrest and corruption.

“I am happy that new politicians are coming. I believe they are doing something for the people, not just themselves, “57-year-old Katerina Zhevelik told AFP in Chisinau on Monday.

“I believe these people will not steal, they will not be destroyed by power, but they will be honest, moral people,” he said.

Officials from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said Monday that the vote was “competitive and well-run”.

He noted, however, that “the concerns of the electoral commission have diminished the trust between the two, which in turn has led to a lack of transparency in the financial system.”

The United States also praised the Moldovan people for their commitment to the OSCE crisis.

“We are committed to strengthening our relationship with Moldova based on the democratic principles we share and we look forward to working with the new government to enhance our relationship,” said Ned Price, a spokesman for the State Department.

‘A sign of transformation’

Despite Sandu’s victory, experts said the challenges remained with the president’s party.

“This is a test for Sandu and his government,” Alexei Tulbure, a political analyst and former UN envoy, told AFP.

“This government needs to show more quickly that it is more efficient than in the past,” said Tulbure.

Sandu, who also served as interim Prime Minister for a while, for many Moldovans has been a “sign of change”, he said.

Vadim Pistrinciuc, director of the Chisinau-based Institute for Strategic Initiatives, and a lawmaker, told the Associated Press that the outcome of the election was “historic”.

“For the first time in Europe one party affiliates the whole country [parliamentary] many, “he said, but added that if those who wanted to change things could not change, it could lead to” great frustration. “

In some Moldovan countries – where more than a third of the country’s electorate and Sandu, who is a major supporter of the presidential election – received more than 200,000 votes compared to 262,000 in the second round of presidential elections.

Observers said Sandu’s victory would be a blow to Russia, which wants Moldova to remain in power.

“Even with a large parliament, it will not be difficult to achieve its ambitious goals for radical change,” said researcher Victor Ciobanu.

There will be “strong opposition” from the Russian side, he said.

“If Sandu wins, then I will win with Russia,” Tulbure said.




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