On October 21, the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova announced the latest voting results from the nationwide referendum, revealing that 50.39% of voters support amending the constitution to establish joining the European Union as a strategic goal for Moldova.
The referendum took place simultaneously with the first round of presidential elections on October 20. According to the Central Electoral Commission, proponents of the constitutional amendment received 50.39% of the votes, while 49.61% opposed it. Following this announcement, the Commission will submit a report on the voting results to the Constitutional Court of Moldova, which is expected to make a decision within ten days to confirm or overturn the results of the referendum.
Moldovan media report that if the court confirms public support for EU membership, an amendment will be added to the preamble of the Constitution stating, “to declare joining the EU as the strategic goal of the Republic of Moldova.”
In related news, the presidential election results show that current President Maia Sandu won with 42.45% of the vote, although this is shy of an absolute majority. She will face off against Alexander Stoianoglo, who is supported by the Socialist Party and garnered approximately 26% of the votes, in a final round of voting on November 3.
According to the Associated Press, since Sandu took office in 2020, Moldova has accelerated its efforts to join the European Union. In March 2022, Moldova applied for EU membership and was granted candidate status in June of the same year. Negotiations for Moldova’s accession to the EU were initiated this past June.
