Moldova’s EU future in question: What happens if Sandu loses
Photo: candidate for the post of head of state Alexandr Stoianoglo (facebook.com Alexandr Stoianoglo)
Moldovan presidential candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo is a European Union citizen and also supports Moldova's membership in the EU, according to Angela Gramada, president of the Association of Experts for Security and Global Affairs in an interview in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
"With Stoianoglo, it’s a complicated issue. He is a citizen of the European Union, a citizen of Romania. He received this citizenship many years ago. He did not participate in the referendum; he said he did not take a ballot and has nothing against Moldova's European integration," Gramada explained.
However, the expert pointed out that in Stoianoglo's view, Moldova should not join the EU.
"The Socialist Party and Mr. Dodon, the former president, back Stoianoglo. The entire corrupt scheme was organized by fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, who fled in 2019 and campaigned for Stoianoglo. I believe Stoianoglo did not fully desire to become a politician or a presidential candidate. But he was pressured into taking on this role," she noted.
At the same time, Gramada emphasized that even if Stoianoglo loses the election and Moldova achieves the positive result it aims for, he will likely remain a strategic asset for future parliamentary elections.
Elections in Moldova
To recap, on Sunday, October 20, Moldova held the first round of presidential elections and a referendum on the country's prospects for joining the European Union.
According to the first-round results, the incumbent president, Maia Sandu, emerged victorious.
More details on Moldova's election and referendum results - in the RBC-Ukraine's report.
