Moldova's pro-European Union President Maia Sandu has secured a second term following a closely contested election run-off that was viewed as a pivotal choice between European integration and closer ties to Russia. The Moldovan Central Electoral Commission announced her victory on Monday morning.

Preliminary results indicate that Sandu received 55% of the votes. In her late-night address on Sunday, she pledged to represent all Moldovans. Her opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, backed by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists, advocated for a stronger relationship with Moscow.

Throughout the day, Sandu's national security adviser alleged significant Russian interference in the electoral process, which they claimed could have potentially skewed the results. Russia, however, denied any involvement, coinciding with recent elections in Georgia, where the president described the situation as a "Russian special operation." Stoianoglo, who was dismissed from his role as prosecutor general by Sandu, rejected claims of being pro-Kremlin.

The European Commission and EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, issued a joint statement congratulating Sandu while highlighting the "unprecedented interference by Russia."

As polls closed, both candidates expressed gratitude towards voters, with Stoianoglo addressing them in both Russian and Romanian. While Romanian is Moldova's official language, Russian remains widely spoken due to the country’s Soviet history. Voter turnout was notably high at 54%, particularly among Moldovans living abroad.

Initially, Stoianoglo led the count, performing well in Moldova itself with over 51% of the votes. However, Sandu found strong support in the capital, Chisinau, and among expatriate voters. As the night progressed and her lead widened, her campaign headquarters erupted in celebration with chants of "victory."

In her speech, a visibly emotional Sandu thanked her fellow citizens for their commitment to democracy, declaring, "We have saved Moldova and shown the world a lesson in democracy." She also acknowledged the voices of both her supporters and those of Stoianoglo, emphasizing the need for unity in pursuing a dignified future.

Olga Rosca, Sandu's foreign policy adviser, expressed pride in the election outcome. When asked about Stoianoglo's success in Moldova, she emphasized that both domestic and expatriate votes should be viewed as part of the same community, stating, “We see Moldovans as one family.”

Looking ahead to next year's elections, Rosca noted Sandu's commitment to addressing public demand for change, particularly in combating corruption and accelerating judicial reforms.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sandu, acknowledging her resilience in overcoming the challenges of the election. She expressed eagerness to continue collaborating towards a European future for Moldova.

Stoianoglo, who had promised to be an "apolitical president," stated that he voted for a Moldova that could thrive in harmony with both the West and the East. He garnered significant support in rural areas and the southern regions, while Sandu performed better in urban centers and among younger voters.

A Soviet republic for 51 years, Moldova is flanked by Ukraine and Romania and one of Europe's poorest countries. It has a population of 2.5 million and an expat population of 1.2 million.

Moldova's authorities have long warned that a fugitive oligarch called Ilan Shor has spent $39m (£30m) trying to buy the election for Moscow with handouts to 138,000 Moldovans.

Shor, who is based in Moscow, denies wrongdoing but did promise cash payments to anyone prepared to back his call for a "firm No" to the EU.

Commentators and politicians had warned that a Stoianoglo victory could radically change the political landscape in the Danube and Black Sea region, not because he was some kind of "Trojan horse", but rather because Russia has thrown its weight behind him.

There were queues at polling stations in Moscow, Italy and among voters from a mainly Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transnistria, who had to cross the River Dniester into Moldovan-controlled territory to vote. Transnistria is home to a Russian military base and a huge arms depot. 

Moldova's election commission said it was aware of reports of organised and illegal transports of voters by air and land in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey, and appealed to the public to report further violations.

Although Sandu had easily won the first round of the vote, several candidates swung behind Stoianoglo, although the third-placed candidate refused to back either of the two.

The first round coincided with a nail-biting referendum on backing a change to the constitution embracing the commitment to join the EU.

In the end the vote passed by a tiny margin in favour, and Maia Sandu said there had been clear evidence of attempts to buy 300,000 votes.