Maia Sandu wins second term in Moldovan election in rebuke to Kremlin

They cannot steal as much as we can vote

was one of the informal slogans of this campaign

Maia Sandu is an illegitimate president, recognized only by her sponsors and supporters abroad. The people of Moldova feel betrayed and robbed,

the party said in a statement

As for Moldova’s current leadership, it will likely continue its work without showing interest in building good relations with Russia. On the contrary, they were the initiators of scaling back cooperation and organizing pressure on our media,

he added

Dmitry Peskovkremlin spokesman

She is not the president of her country because the majority of the population did not vote for her,

Peskov said

We must speed up the implementation of reforms and consolidate our democracy."

She was also critical of herself, noting

Russia will not stop, neither in our country nor elsewhere in Europe,

said Groza

Russia and Ilan Shor's criminal group invested a sum equivalent to 1% of our gross domestic product to influence this election. There was phenomenal pressure and an enormous amount of disinformation and manipulation,

said Valeriu Pasa, chairman of the civil society organization Watchdog

Charles Micheleuropean Council President

The people of Moldova have reaffirmed their trust in your leadership, stability and commitment to a European future,

wrote European Council President Charles Michel

Giorgia Meloniprime Minister

Congratulations to Maia Sandu for her re-election as president of the Republic of Moldova,

wrote Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose country is one of the top destinations for Moldovans living abroad

Emmanuel Macronfrench President

Democracy has triumphed over all interference and maneuvers. France will continue to stand by Moldova on its European path,

wrote French President Emmanuel Macron

Josep BorrelleU foreign affairs chief

Moldovans have shown once again their determination to build a European future despite hybrid attempts to undermine democracy,

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell chimed in, with a dig at Russia

Alexandr Stoianoglo, the president of the people of Moldova, won the real victory in the presidential elections,

the statement continued

We reaffirmed our commitment to work together on our path to a common goal — membership in the European Union. We coordinated our next steps, and I invited President Sandu to visit Ukraine,

he wrote

Residents of Moldova made a decision on 3 November 2024, indicating their desire to change this government. Residents of Moldova will continue to make decisions in the upcoming parliamentary elections,

the Party of Socialists said

Maia Sandu has become the 'president of the diaspora'. The Party of Socialists does not recognise the voting at polling stations abroad which resulted in Sandu being declared the winner,

the party said in a statement

The amount of election interference is striking and a warning sign for what's to come in countries inside and outside of the EU. For now this is a welcome dose of good news,

one EU diplomat told Reuters

For the parliamentary elections, it will be much harder to prevent the impact of this interference,

Pasha added

I fully understand that this vote was also driven by the need for change – changes that society has been awaiting. I want you to know – I have heard all voices, including the critical ones,

Sandu said in a victory speech

Prices are high, everything is expensive, everything. The people move abroad, leaving their homes behind,

said Dmitri, 57, who declined to give his surname

@sandumaiamd has steered the Republic of Moldova safely through difficult times and set the country on a European course. We stand by Moldova’s side,

The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, echoed this sentiment ... he said