Moldovan President Maia Sandu, running for a second term, stated that the country faced an unprecedented attack on freedom and democracy both on election day and in recent months. Sandu said there is “evidence and information indicating that a criminal group aimed to buy 300,000 votes,” IPN reports.
In a press briefing held around 1:00 AM, she accused criminal groups, supported by foreign forces, of attacking Moldova with tens of millions of euros, lies, and propaganda to push the country into uncertainty and instability.
“The scale of the fraud is unprecedented. The goal was to sabotage a democratic process and spread fear and panic in society. We will not stop defending freedom and democracy. We await the final results and will respond accordingly,” Sandu added.
After the processing of about 99% of the ballots, Maia Sandu, the candidate of the Action and Solidarity Party, will face Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate of the Party of Socialists (PSRM), in the second round of the presidential elections. According to preliminary results, Sandu won 42.07% of the votes, while Stoianoglo 26.27%.