### Moldova's Election at a Crossroads: Europe or Russia?

In a presidential election that could shape Moldova's future direction, preliminary results indicate Alexandr Stoianoglo has taken a slender lead over the pro-EU incumbent, Maia Sandu. With votes from over 90% of polling stations tallied, the Central Election Commission reports that Stoianoglo, supported by the Russian-leaning Party of Socialists, has garnered 50.5% of the vote, just edging out Sandu, who stands at 49.5%.

Stoianoglo, who promises to strengthen ties with Moscow, faces allegations from the sitting president's national security team regarding "massive interference" by Russia in Moldova's electoral process. Despite Russia's denial of any such meddling, this allegations recall a similar scenario in a recent Georgian election, which was also criticized as a "Russian special operation."

Voting turnout has hit a notable 54%, higher than the previous election cycle four years ago, with an especially significant participation seen among Moldovans abroad. The final results, which will take into account votes from overseas polling stations in the EU and the US, are expected to narrow Stoianoglo’s lead further.

As polls closed, both candidates expressed gratitude to their supporters. Stoianoglo, who spoke in both Russian and Romanian, pledged to serve as an "apolitical president" and voiced support for Moldova developing "in harmony with both the West and the East." Sandu, on the other hand, urged citizens to safeguard their independence and warned against vote-buying by malign influences.

Reports of organized transportation of voters from countries including Russia and Belarus have emerged, along with bomb scares that momentarily halted voting in several locations, such as the UK and Germany. Moldova’s long-standing warning about the influence of fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, who allegedly spent $39 million to sway the election for Moscow, underscores the high stakes involved.

Sandu had comfortably won the first round of the vote, but the subsequent support for Stoianoglo from other candidates, despite one top contender choosing not to endorse either, has tightened the race. The electoral period also saw significant efforts to promote a referendum on EU membership, which narrowly passed, but was marred by accusations of attempts to buy 300,000 votes backed by evidence tied to Russian disinformation efforts.

With Moldova's future at a pivotal juncture, the results of this election could profoundly impact the country’s political landscape and its relationships with major powers to the east and west.