by Svetlana Suveica (Regensburg)
On Sunday, October 30, 2016, the Moldovans elected their president. The turnout for the direct elections1 was 49 %, approximately 6 % less than in the 2014 Parliamentary elections. According to the preliminary results, 48,2 % of votes went to the candidate of the Socialist Party, Igor Dodon, whereas Maia Sandu, the joint candidate of three opposition parties (PAS, PDAA and PLDM), gathered 38,4 % of votes. The second round of elections will be held on November 13.2
- This was possible after a change of the legislation by the Constitutional Court of March 3rd 2016 (http://www.constcourt.md/libview.php?l=ro&idc=7&id=759&t=/Prezentare-generala/Serviciul-de-presa/Noutati/Curtea-Constitutionala-a-restabilit-dreptul-cetatenilor-de-a-si-alege-Presedintele), considered by many as a controversial decision. [↩]
- Moldova presidential election goes to second round, at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37814503 [↩]