Polish PM hails Moldova's pro-EU vote

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has hailed Moldova's pro-European vote and praised its President Maia Sandu after preliminary results showed that over 50 percent of citizens said "yes" in a referendum on the country's bid to join the EU.

Moldova's President Maia Sandu casts her ballot in the country's presidential election and EU membership referendum on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

Photo: EPA/DUMITRU DORU

"Infuriate Moscow, impress Europe, save her country once again - that’s who Maia Sandu is," Tusk said in an X post on Monday.

"A great leader and a brave nation," he added.

Infuriate Moscow, impress Europe, save her country once again - that’s who Maia Sandu is. A great leader and a brave nation.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) October 21, 2024

Sandu said on Monday that Moldovans had won a crucial first battle shaping their future, as a referendum on the country's aspirations to join the EU was on course to yield a narrow majority "yes" vote of just over 50 percent, the Reuters news agency reported.

Moldova votes "yes" to EU membership bid:

✅Yes: 50,3%

❌No: 49,7%

— euronews (@euronews) October 21, 2024

Speaking at a news briefing, the Moldovan leader condemned an outside attempt to buy votes to influence the referendum, calling it an attack on the country's sovereignty, according to Reuters.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said Sunday's twin votes faced an ‘unprecedented’ assault from outside interference after preliminary results showed the election heading for a tight run-off and an EU referendum going to the wire https://t.co/sDccgFVch2

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 21, 2024

Half of Moldovans voted ‘yes’ in Sunday's referendum on the country's EU aspirations, early results showed, putting the small nation tugged between East and West on a path towards joining the single market despite pressure from Russia https://t.co/UNvAPJAp1d

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 21, 2024

She added that Moldova needed to do more to combat corruption, it reported.

Moldova counts votes in first round of presidential election and referendum for EU accession

After almost 100% of ballots were counted, current president Maia Sandu gained 42.31% of votes, her opponent Alexandru Stoianoglo - 26.07%. They advanced to the second round, which will… pic.twitter.com/MgPaeQa8gn

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 21, 2024

The people of Moldova have spoken: our EU future will now be anchored in the constitution. We fought fairly in an unfair fight—and we won.

But the fight isn’t over. We will keep pushing for peace, prosperity, and the freedom to build our own future.

— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) October 21, 2024

Congratulations to the people of Moldova and to you, @sandumaiamd

You’ve done it again!

In the face of Russia’s hybrid tactics, Moldova shows that it is independent, it is strong and it wants a European future! https://t.co/R9v95YnHh7

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 21, 2024

Tusk last month visited the Moldovan capital Chișinău for talks with Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean and parliamentary Speaker Igor Grosu. He also addressed a special session of the Moldovan parliament.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Moldovan President Maia Sandu meet in Chișinău on September 4, 2024. Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz

The Polish leader at the time underscored Moldova's significance to regional security, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

He told reporters that his visit ahead of Moldova’s October 20 presidential election and EU membership referendum aimed to bolster the country’s pro-European ambitions.

Maia Sandu invited Alexandru Stoianoglo to the debates

According to the results of the elections, the acting president Maia Sandu goes to the second round together with Alexandru Stoianoglo, while opinions on EU accession were almost equally divided with a slight preponderance… pic.twitter.com/nsxFJJrBE2

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 21, 2024

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP

Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Marcin Matuszewski.