In a message addressed to Moldovans who elect their president on Sunday, Emmanuel Macron stated that “Europe’s path is that of freedom and democracy”friday 1Ahem November, the
“At this decisive moment for Moldova and with it, for our Europe, I want to send the Moldovan citizens a message of courage and hope. Europe’s path is that of freedom and democracy, the foundations of a shared future. United we are stronger”he wrote on the social network.
Maia Sandu, a 52-year-old former economist who has become a great European personality, came first in the first round with 42.49%, ahead of Alexandru Stoianoglo (25.95%), who has the votes of several candidates. small. They cite in particular the risk of being drawn into an armed conflict with Moscow and suffering the same fate as Ukraine, which borders Moldova, which has 2.6 million inhabitants.
A referendum on the European Union (EU) was held in mid-October and was narrowly won by the pro-European side (50.35%). The vote was marred by irregularities and misinformation, Russia is accused of interference in the electoral process, something the Kremlin ardently defends.
Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest countries, began negotiations to join the EU in 2024 after gaining candidate status along with Ukraine in 2022.me Sandu has pledged to reform the country’s judicial system and support the economy to join the EU in 2030. But Russia, which has a powerful leverage with its gas supplies and numerous relays in the political world, is struggling for maintaining your “sphere of influence” this country located between Ukraine, at war, and Romania, a member of the EU and NATO.
