High voter turnout

Moldova: Referendum on EU accession is valid

Maia Sandu, the pro-European President of the Republic of Moldova(Bild: AFP)

The constitutive referendum on the country's accession to the EU called by the pro-European President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, is valid thanks to a high voter turnout. 

The referendum asked whether the constitution should be amended to include EU accession as a goal. According to the partial results, 56% voted no and 44% voted yes.

However, the trend could still reverse, as many votes still had to be counted in the pro-European capital Chisinau.

33.33 percent of voters needed
According to the Central Election Office in Chisinau on Sunday evening, around 42.44 percent of eligible Moldovan citizens cast their votes in the constitutional referendum by 6 pm (5 pm CEST) - far more than the required 33.33 percent of voters.

Sandu narrowly ahead in Moldova according to initial results
According to partial results, Sandu is in the lead in the first round of the presidential election held at the same time. After more than 40 percent of the ballots had been counted, the 52-year-old received 35 percent of the vote, as the electoral commission announced on Sunday evening.

Her opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo received just under 30 percent of the vote. The run-off election between Sandu and Stoianoglo will take place on November 3.