Pro-Western incumbent Maia Sandu is pitted against a Russia-friendly opponent for leadership of Moldova – and citizens are casting votes in a decisive presidential runoff on Sunday as ongoing claims of voter fraud and intimidation threaten democracy in the European Union candidate country.
In the first round held Oct. 20, Sandu obtained 42% of the ballot but failed to win an outright majority. She will face Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general, who outperformed polls in the first round with almost 26% of the vote. Polls opened Sunday at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and will close at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT).
