Incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Russian-backed candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo have agreed to hold a public election debate on October 27 ahead of a tense November 3 presidential runoff amid warnings of continued Russian interference.
The televised debate will take place after the pro-European Sandu won the first round on October 20 with 42.49 percent of the vote, while Socialist Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor-general facing accusations of corruption, garnered 25.9 percent, final results showed, after a campaign marred by allegations of vote-buying as well as manipulation and disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Russia.
SEE ALSO: Moldova's Razor-Thin EU 'Yes' Vote Puts President Sandu In A Tight SpotIn third place was businessman Renato Usatii, a former mayor of Moldova's second-largest city, Balti, with 13.79 percent of the votes.
A referendum for Moldova's integration into the European Union held simultaneously with the presidential vote passed by a wafer-thin margin -- 50.38 percent -- despite the "no" camp being ahead until the early hours of October 21, apparently due to decisive pro-EU votes cast by Moldova's staunchly pro-EU diaspora.
While the referendum has no legal impact on Moldova's negotiations with Brussels, the very narrow approval margin came as a surprise to many observers who had expected a more decisive vote in favor of the former Soviet republic's path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.
Many observers billed Moldova's dual elections as crucial to helping decide the country's future direction -- whether it will feature closer ties to Europe and the West or continue in Russia's shadow.
Some analysts saw the result as a setback for Sandu, who had bet on a strong pro-European showing to cement her chances at a second four-year mandate after Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, secured EU candidate status in 2022 and opened membership negotiations with the bloc earlier this year.
The United States, in a message commending Moldovans for a high turnout and the pro-Western choice, acknowledged Moscow's interference in the electoral process.
"Russia did everything in its power to disrupt the election and referendum to undermine Moldova's democracy, including through illicit financing and vote buying, disinformation, and malicious cyber-activities," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Russia, which was accused by Western officials of election interference ahead of the vote, has rejected the accusations, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claiming that the final results of both the presidential election and the referendum were "rigged" and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling on Sandu to present evidence to back up her accusations of vote-buying.
The debate, to take place at the Palace of the Republic in the capital, Chisinau, will give the U.S.-educated Sandu an opportunity to reinforce her pro-Western message with Moldovan voters as she locks horns with Stoianoglo.
The debate will also likely give her an occasion to elaborate on her statement on election night that the balloting came under an "unprecedented" assault from "criminal groups," which tried to buy as many as 300,000 votes with tens of millions of euros in an attempt to "undermine the democratic process."
Ahead of a tense runoff that could decisively set Moldova's course for the years to come, Blinken voiced Washington's backing for a vote without outside interference.
"The United States will continue to support Moldova’s efforts to ensure a credible, transparent, and democratic process on November 3," he said.
"Alongside our allies and partners, the United States stands with the Moldovan people in their desire for a secure, prosperous, and democratic future."