Kremlin Says Moldova’s Election Results ‘Raise Questions,’ Denies Meddling Claims

Authorities successful Moscow claimed Monday that the constrictive borderline successful Moldova’s law referendum connected EU rank “raises questions,” portion besides rejecting Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s accusations of Russian interference successful Sunday’s statesmanlike election.

After astir 99% of the votes were counted successful a referendum that asked Moldovans whether to insert a clause into the constitution defining EU accession arsenic a nationalist goal, the “Yes” ballot inched into the lead with 50.31% of the full ballots cast, predetermination authorities said aboriginal Monday.

In the country’s statesmanlike race, held alongside the referendum connected Sunday, nary of the 11 candidates that stood for predetermination managed to get much than 50% of the votes, mounting the signifier for a 2nd circular connected Nov. 3 betwixt Sandu, who received astir 42% of the votes, and Russia-friendly erstwhile authoritative Alexandr Stoianoglo, who earned astir 26%.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it was “difficult to explain” however the fig of “Yes” votes successful the EU referendum managed to outnumber the fig of “No” votes, which were starring precocious Sunday arsenic the ballots were gradually being counted.

“The figures we’re seeing and the gait with which it changed, of course, raises a batch of questions,” Peskov told reporters, repeating erstwhile claims that Moldovan authorities were stifling absorption and moving to forestall Sandu’s governmental contenders from moving successful a just contention against her.

“Even successful these circumstances… we saw conscionable however galore radical don’t enactment President Sandu’s ideology,” Peskov said arsenic helium urged reporters to hold for the last results of the election.

Sandu said precocious Sunday that “criminal groups, moving unneurotic with overseas forces hostile to our nationalist interests carried retired an unprecedented battle connected our country’s state and democracy.” 

Peskov, responding to her comments, called on the Moldovan president to “present evidence” backing up the predetermination interference accusations.

“It wouldn’t beryllium a atrocious thought for her [Sandu] to explicate wherefore truthful galore radical voted against her position,” Peskov said. “Are they transgression groups too? Or does she mean that Moldovan citizens who don’t enactment her are associated with transgression groups?”

Earlier this month, Moldovan constabulary arrested hundreds of radical aft uncovering what they described arsenic an “unprecedented” vote-buying strategy linked to fugitive businessman Ilhan Shor, who presently lives successful Russia. Law enforcement said millions of dollars were sent from Russia to voters to undermine the predetermination and referendum.

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