Moldova Narrowly Backs EU Membership in Contested Referendum

Moldova's constitutional referendum on enshrining the goal of EU membership passed by a razor-thin 50.4% to 49.6% on October 20, 2024 — far narrower than pre-vote polling had suggested. President Maia Sandu said the vote had come under an "unprecedented" assault, alleging "criminal groups" tied to Russia attempted to buy up to 300,000 votes with tens of millions of euros. Sandu was separately forced into a runoff in the concurrent presidential election, ultimately winning re-election on November 3 with 55% against pro-Russia Socialist candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo.