Presidential elections and a referendum on amending the Constitution for European integration will be held in Moldova on Sunday, October 20. The main fight will take place between the current head of state, Maia Sandu, who is running for a second term, since since she came to power relations with Russia have worsened and the republic has turned its course exclusively towards European integration, and those who defend a more balanced foreign policy.
According to local legislation, presidential elections and referendums are considered valid if turnout exceeds 33.3%. In this case it will be taken into account separately for each process.
2,221 polling stations will be opened in Moldova and abroad. Of them, 234 plots are abroad. Polling stations will open at 7:00 a.m. (which coincides with Moscow time) and close at 9:00 p.m. All citizens of Moldova over 18 years of age have the right to vote.
If none of the candidates in the first round can receive more than half of the popular vote, then a second round must be held two weeks later between the two candidates who received the most votes. Thus, the second electoral round may take place on November 3 and the candidate who obtains the most votes will be considered elected.
This time the authorities introduced an innovation: voting by mail. However, not everyone will be able to take advantage of this opportunity, only residents of the USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway.
11 candidates are competing for the position of head of state: in addition to the current president Maia Sandu, there is the former attorney general Alejandro Stoianogloformer prime ministers Vasily Tarlev AND Ion Chicuformer director of Gagauzia Irina Vlahformer head of the Ministry of the Interior Andrei Nastaseformer head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tudor Ulyanovskyformer Minister of Youth and Sports Octavio Tsikuformer prosecutor Victoria Furtuneleader of the political force “Our Party” Renato Usatii and journalist Natalia Morar.
The three main leaders in the presidential race are Sandu, Stoianoglo and Usatii. During the presidential elections four years ago, Usatii asked his electorate (17% of voters) to support Sandu. At the same time, Sandu removed Stoianoglo from the position of attorney general, but the European Court of Human Rights sided with him.
The essence of Sandu’s campaign focused on the slogan “For a European Moldova” and a call to support European integration. Stoyanoglo had the support of the opposition Socialist Party during the election campaign. In terms of foreign policy, Stoyanoglo believes that it is worth making friends with both the West and the East, without forgetting national interests. Usatii also called for a moderate and balanced foreign policy with all countries.
As part of the referendum, citizens will have to answer one question: “Do you support changing the Constitution so that the Republic of Moldova joins the European Union?” The idea of a referendum was criticized by the public and opposition forces in Moldova. The opposition is convinced that the referendum does not so much reflect the aspirations of the people, but rather an instrument to strengthen the position of the current authorities before the next presidential and parliamentary elections, RIA Novosti clarifies.
