“The people of Moldova have spoken: our EU future will now be anchored in the Constitution”, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu wrote this afternoon, referring to the outcome of the referendum on EU membership held yesterday in Moldova. “We fought fairly in an unfair fight — and we won”, President Sandu went on to write, “but the fight isn’t over. We will keep pushing for peace, prosperity, and the freedom to build our own future”. On X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated “the people of Moldova and you, Maia Sandu. You’ve done it again!”. And she added: “In the face of Russia’s hybrid tactics, Moldova shows that it is independent, it is strong and it wants a European future!”. 50.4% of the votes cast in the Moldovan elections were in favour of the EU and 42.4% in favour of the outgoing President, who will challenge pro-Russian candidate, Alexandr Stoianoglo, in a runoff in early November. Stoianoglo received 26% of the votes but will most likely be supported by the other candidates in the second round. Such a narrow outcome may be the result of possible fraud and pressure exerted by Russia on voters. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also congratulated Moldova on the election results: “Well done Republic of Moldova! Thank you for your bravery”. In thanking President Sandu, she added: “Your leadership and courage have changed the course of history. Europe is Moldova, Moldova is Europe. Our future will be written together”.