Gagauzia backs pro‑Russian candidates, rejects EU path
In the autonomous region of Gagauzia, recognized as Moldova's most pro-Russian area, pro-Western President Maia Sandu received only 2.26% of the votes. As many as 95% of voters opposed including euro integration in the constitution.
According to data published on Monday by the Central Election Commission (CEC), about 63,000 citizens participated in the elections in Gagauzia, resulting in a turnout of 49.4%.
Former Moldovan Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo received the most votes, securing 48.67%. He was traditionally supported by pro-Russian socialists. Stoianoglo is from this region—he was born in Comrat, the capital of Gagauzia.
Victoria Furtuna, a former prosecutor who was also perceived as a pro-Russian candidate, came in second place.
In the referendum on joining the European Union, supporters of the "yes" response in Gagauzia achieved only 5.16%. Just under 58,000 people participated in this vote.
Meanwhile, Moldovan citizens living in the separatist territory of Transnistria, who had to travel to polling stations in areas controlled by Moldova, cast 37.44% of the votes for "yes" in the referendum. Maia Sandu received 25.21% of the votes in this region, while Stoianoglo secured 35.41%. Just over 16,000 residents participated in the presidential election in Transnistria.
On a national scale, after counting votes from nearly 99% of commissions, Maia Sandu leads with 42.18%. The "yes" responses achieved a slight advantage in the referendum—50.28%. Stoianoglo, in second place in the presidential election, obtained 26.17%.
The second round of elections will take place on November 3rd.
