After the protocols were counted from 98% of polling stations, Maia Sandu received 54% of the votes, and her opponent, the current head of the country, Igor Dodon, received 46%. Thus, the gap between the candidates was over 115 thousand votes. About 800 thousand voters supported Sandu, while 685 thousand people voted for Dodon.
Of the uncounted ballots, there were those that were filled in at fifty polling stations abroad. When counting, the gap only widens, since the Moldovan diaspora abroad mostly votes for Sandu. Over 260 thousand voters residing outside Moldova took part in the elections, of which more than 80% voted for Sandu. Thus, the gap between her and Dodon widened from 3% after domestic votes were counted to 8%.
The final results will be announced on Monday after polling stations are closed and votes in the US and Canada are counted.
Let us note that in Transnistria, Dodon received 85.8% of the votes, but this did not affect the overall balance of power.
Sandu has already managed to thank her voters. She promised to unite the society split during the elections, as well as to tackle the economic problems of the country.
Until Dodon admitted defeat. He intends to hold a briefing after the meeting of the country's top leadership today at 12 o'clock Moscow time.
Let us remind you that the second round of the presidential elections in Moldova began on the eve of November 15. On the territory of the country, 2004 polling stations were opened, and 139 polling stations - abroad. The first round was held on November 1, the turnout was 42.76%. But none of the candidates was able to gain 50% of the vote.
Maia Sandu was born in the Moldovan village of Risipeni. She studied at the Academy of Economic Education of Moldova, then three years at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Moldova, where she studied international relations. In 2010 she graduated from the Harvard Institute of Public Administration. John F. Kennedy, paying for their studies through scholarships, savings and loans. After graduation, she became an advisor to the executive director of the World Bank in Washington.