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| Pro-Moscow figure Igor Dodon claims Moldova presidency | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Pro-Russian candidate Igor Dodon says he has won the second round of Moldova's presidential election. | Pro-Russian candidate Igor Dodon says he has won the second round of Moldova's presidential election. |
| With almost all the ballots counted, Mr Dodon, who wants to restore close ties with Russia, has 55% of the vote. His rival, pro-European candidate Maia Sandu, is far behind with 45%. | With almost all the ballots counted, Mr Dodon, who wants to restore close ties with Russia, has 55% of the vote. His rival, pro-European candidate Maia Sandu, is far behind with 45%. |
| The national vote marks the first direct presidential election in Moldova for 20 years. | The national vote marks the first direct presidential election in Moldova for 20 years. |
| Since 1996 presidents of Moldova have been chosen by parliament. | Since 1996 presidents of Moldova have been chosen by parliament. |
| The election was seen as a battle between those supporting closer ties with Russia and those wanting integration with the European Union. | The election was seen as a battle between those supporting closer ties with Russia and those wanting integration with the European Union. |
| Speaking shortly after the closure of polling stations on Sunday, Mr Dodon called on Ms Sandu to preserve public order and abstain from protests. | Speaking shortly after the closure of polling stations on Sunday, Mr Dodon called on Ms Sandu to preserve public order and abstain from protests. |
| "The election is over," he said, adding: "People have elected their president." | "The election is over," he said, adding: "People have elected their president." |
| Mr Dodon, 41, was a deputy prime minister in the Party of Communists government before 2009. He blames widespread corruption in Moldova on the pro-EU parties that have ruled the country since then. | Mr Dodon, 41, was a deputy prime minister in the Party of Communists government before 2009. He blames widespread corruption in Moldova on the pro-EU parties that have ruled the country since then. |
| Both candidates criticised the vote on Sunday as badly organised, highlighting the shortage of ballot papers for overseas voters. | Both candidates criticised the vote on Sunday as badly organised, highlighting the shortage of ballot papers for overseas voters. |
| The final voter turnout was 53.3%. | The final voter turnout was 53.3%. |
| Moldova, a former Soviet republic with has close historical ties with Moscow, declared independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. | Moldova, a former Soviet republic with has close historical ties with Moscow, declared independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. |
| It also has a breakaway region supported by Russia, Trans-Dniester. | It also has a breakaway region supported by Russia, Trans-Dniester. |
| It has moved to forge closer ties with the European Union in recent years, a course championed by Ms Sandu. | It has moved to forge closer ties with the European Union in recent years, a course championed by Ms Sandu. |