(4 Nov 2024)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chisinau, Moldova – 4 November 2024
1. Wide of international election observers news conference
2. Mid of audience
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Temido, European Parliament representative:
“Regrettably, we must recognise that significant efforts to interfere with this election were undertaken by various actors, including entities linked to the Russian Federation, pro-Russian oligarchs and locally supported groups with Russian affiliations. We praise the Moldovan people for running the presidential election professionally and with an extraordinary sense of duty and dedication, despite the continued massive interference from Russia and its proxies.”
4. Cutaway audience
5 SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Temido, European Parliament representative:
“The determination of the Moldovan authorities and people to protect the integrity of the democratic process was noticeable during this second round. We encourage the authorities to continue these efforts in view of next year’s parliamentary elections, and we will stand ready to support Moldova in defending its democracy. The European Parliament maintains its unwavering support for the democratic and European future of the Republic of Moldova.”
6. Wide of speakers
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jone Blikra, Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE):
“Despite continuous efforts by Russia and its allied Moldavian oligarchs to interfere and to offer alleged illicit incentives they did not succeed. This is a testament to the majority of Moldavian society which has shown it can decide upon its own leaders and chart its own course.“
8. Wide of news conference
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jone Blikra, Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE):
“Yesterday’s second round has regrettably confirmed how deeply divided your country currently is. The president-elect will need to make every effort to build bridges and to heal these rifts, especially with parliamentary elections on the horizon next year. “
10. Speakers
11. Wide of news conference
STORYLINE:
International observers on Monday confirmed there had been "significant efforts" to interfere in Moldova’s elections.
European Parliament representative, Marta Temido, cited interference by "entities linked to the Russian Federation, pro-Russian oligarchs and locally supported groups with Russian affiliations."
"We praise the Moldovan people for running the presidential election professionally and with an extraordinary sense of duty and dedication, despite the continued massive interference from Russia and its proxies,” she said at a news conference in the capital, Chisinau.
Pro-Western President Maia Sandu won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation in the European Union candidate country.
With nearly 99% of votes counted in the second round of the presidential election held Sunday, Sandu had 55% of the vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission, or CEC, compared to 45% for Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who was backed by the pro-Russia Party of Socialists.
The result will be a major relief for the pro-Western government, which strongly backed Sandu’s candidacy, and her push for closer Western ties on Moldova’s path toward the EU.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova applied to join the EU.
AP video and production by Nicolae Dumitrache
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