Moldova votes as pro-EU president faces challenge from ex-prosecutor amid claims of Russian interference

Moldova held a presidential election today, with incumbent pro-EU President Maia Sandu facing former prosecutor Alexandr Stoianoglo, labeled a "Russian Trojan horse." Allegations of significant Russian interference have emerged, including claims of vote manipulation and intimidation. In the first election round on October 20, Sandu received 42% of the votes but did not secure a majority. Reports indicate that the Kremlin may be attempting to influence the outcome in favor of Stoianoglo, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Moldovan authorities have reported incidents of voter intimidation and a vote-buying scheme linked to an exiled oligarch. By 8 PM, over 1.6 million voters, about 53.5% of those eligible, had cast their ballots.