More than 50% of Moldovan voters have said ‘no’ to the inclusion of an aspiration for closer ties with the EU in the constitution
Voters in Moldova have rejected the government-backed proposal to enshrine eventual integration with the EU in the former Soviet country’s constitution.
During Sunday’s referendum, held simultaneously with a presidential election, voters were asked whether the constitution should be amended to reflect the “irreversible European course” of the country and affirm the “integration into the European Union as a strategic objective” of the nation.
With more than 86% of the ballots counted, 54.55% voted against the proposal, while 45.45% voted in favor, according to the preliminary results cited by the news channel TVR.
The highly contentious presidential election is likely heading to a second-round runoff, as no candidate has succeeded in winning 50% of the votes.
With more than 85% of the ballots counted, the pro-EU incumbent president, Maia Sandu, is leading with 37.08%. Former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, the leader of the Party of Socialists (PSRM), is second with 29.1%.
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