Authorities in Moscow claimed Monday that the narrow margin in Moldovas constitutional referendum on EU membership raises questions, while also rejecting Moldovan President Maia Sandus accusations of Russian interference in Sundays presidential election.After nearly 99% of the votes were counted in a referendum that asked Moldovans whether to insert a clause into the constitution defining EU accession as a national goal, the Yes vote inched into the lead with 50.31% of the total ballots cast, election authorities said early Monday.In the countrys presidential race, held alongside the referendum on Sunday, none of the 11 candidates that stood for election managed to get more than 50% of the votes, setting the stage for a second round on Nov.
3 between Sandu, who received about 42% of the votes, and Russia-friendly former prosecutor Alexandr Stoianoglo, who earned around 26%.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskovsaid it was difficult to explain how the number of Yes votes in the EU referendum managed to outnumber the number of No votes, which were leading late Sunday as the ballots were gradually being counted.The figures were seeing and the pace with which it changed, of course, raises a lot of questions, Peskov told reporters, repeating previous claims that Moldovan authorities were stifling opposition and working to prevent Sandus political contenders from running in a fair race against her.Even in these circumstances we saw just how many people dont support President Sandus ideology, Peskov said as he urged reporters to wait for the final results of the election.Sandu said late Sunday that criminal groups, working together with foreign forces hostile to our national interests carried out an unprecedented assault on our countrys freedom and democracy.Peskov, responding to her comments, called on the Moldovan president to present evidence backing up the election interference accusations.It wouldnt be a bad idea for her [Sandu] to explain why so many people voted against her position, Peskov said.
Are they criminal groups too? Or does she mean that Moldovan citizens who dont support her are associated with criminal groups?Earlier this month, Moldovan police arrested hundreds of people after uncovering what they described as an unprecedented vote-buying scheme linked to fugitive businessman Ilan Shor, who currently lives in Russia.Law enforcement said millions of dollars were sent from Russia to voters to undermine the election and referendum.