Participation of the PABSEC delegation in the observation mission for the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, 20 October 2024
On 20 October 2024, the PABSEC delegation composed of Mr. Petar Kanev, PABSEC Vice-President, Head of PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation, Mr. Musa Guliyev, Chairman of the PABSEC Committee on Social and Humanitarian Policy, member of PABSEC Azerbaijani Delegation, and the Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the observation mission for the presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova and the referendum on the country's European Union aspirations.
The PABSEC delegation met with Mr. Igor Grosu, Chairman of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and handed over the PABSEC Medal of Honour. The delegation noted the importance of the presidential elections and the referendum on the country's EU aspirations. At the meeting, were discussed the issues related to the PABSEC activities, as well as the organization of the PABSEC Committee meeting in Moldova in spring 2025.
On the day of the elections and referendum on 20 October 2024, the PABSEC delegation visited various polling stations in the city of Chisinau and noted that the elections were held in full compliance with the electoral legislation in force in the state and the standards for holding democratic elections. All necessary conditions were created for effective monitoring of the preparation and conduct of the elections, which indicates the openness and transparency of the electoral process in the country. The turnout was 51.68%.
There were 11 candidates, running for the post of President - 6 from the party and 5 independent candidates. The current President of the country, Maia Sandu from the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), received 42.45%, former Prosecutor General of Moldova Alexandru Stoianoglo, nominated by the Party of Socialists of Moldova (PSRM), received 25.98%, Renato Usatii, nominated by Our Party, received 13.79%, former head of the Autonomous Region of Gagauzia Irina Vlah received 5.35%, journalist Victoria Furtuna received 4.45%, former Prime Minister of Moldova Vasile Tarlev from the Future of Moldova Party received 3.19%, former Prime Minister of Moldova Ion Chicu representing the Party of Development and Consolidation of Moldova received 2.06%, former Minister of Youth and Sports Octavian Țîcu received 0.93%, former Minister of Internal Affairs of Moldova Andrei Năstase received 0.64%, journalist Natalia Morari received 0.61%, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tudor Ulianovsky received 0.52%. Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes in the elections, a second round of elections will be held on 3 November 2024.
According to the results information by the Central Electoral Commission, 50.38 percent of voters who took part in the referendum supported joining the EU, while 49.62 percent voted "against". The referendum results will allow amendments to the country's Constitution, which will define one of the goals of Moldova’s further development as joining the European Union.