Pro-Western economist wins Moldova presidential race, defeating pro-Russia incumbent

Maia Sandu of Moldova — (Image credit: Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty Images)

Moldova, an ex-Soviet republic in nestled between Ukraine and Romania, voted in a presidential runoff election Sunday, and the pro-European Union candidate, Maia Sandu, defeated Russian-allied incumbent President Igor Dodon by a wide margin, according to preliminary results released Monday. Sandu won more than 57 percent of the vote, 15 percentage points ahead of Dodon, the Central Election Commission said. Donon narrowly defeated Sandu in 2016.

"Preliminary results indicate that my opponent Maia Sandu is the winner, and I want to preliminary congratulate her," Dodon said Monday. "I call for calm and peace, absolutely no disturbances or protests, we must not allow any destabilization of the country." The election was seen as a referendum between Sandu's pro-Western stance and Dodon's pro-Russia one, The Associated Press reports. Moldova's current government holds 51 of the 101 seats in parliament, but Sandu will be able to dissolve parliament and call new elections if the prime minister resigns and two attempts to replace him fail.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.