By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-10-21 07:43:15 | Updated at 2024-10-21 10:33:22
3 hours ago
A referendum on Moldova joining the EU was too close to call early Monday with almost all votes counted, as pro-EU President Maia Sandu blamed “criminal groups working together with foreign forces” – a veiled reference to Russia – for the outcome.
The close vote is a setback for Sandu, who managed to top the first round of presidential elections held at the same time on Sunday but will face a tough second round.
The referendum had been widely expected to pass in the country of 2.6 million people which neighbours war-torn Ukraine.
Sandu had applied for Moldova to join the European Union following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
With more than 98 per cent of the votes counted, the “yes” vote was slightly ahead at 50.08 per cent, while the “no” camp – which had been ahead – stood at 49.92 per cent early Monday.
