Moldova’s pro-western president wins runoff against Russia-friendly opponent

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu has won the presidential runoff with 54% of the vote (Vadim Ghirda/AP)

Moldova’s pro-western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud and intimidation.

With nearly 99% of votes counted in the second round of the election held on Sunday, Ms Sandu had 54.7% of the vote, according to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), compared with 45.3% for Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who was backed by the pro-Russia Party of Socialists.