Election result

Igor Dodon wins Moldova presidential election

A pro-Russian politician has won Moldova's presidential election, according to final results released on Monday.

In the full count, Igor Dodon won 52.2 percent of Sunday's vote. His opponent in the race, Maia Sandu, who ran on an anti-corruption ticket, had 47.8 percent.

Speaking after his win, Dodon, the leader of the Socialist Party, said he would push for early parliamentary elections in 2017 to force out a government that favours closer ties with the European Union.

"A very serious combat is ahead but we are ready for this combat," he told Russian state TV, referring to an election he wants to bring forward by a year.

Election result

There's a 'New Political Situation in Bulgaria,' President-Elect Says 


The newly elected head of state has vowed to work toward a waiver of EU sanctions against Russia, but has made it clear the competence to demand the step lies with the government.

Asked about his lack of experience in politics (he comes out of the Air Force ranks), he has voiced confidence about having the qualities necessary.

Radev ran as an independent, but was fully backed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), the biggest opposition force.

But on Sunday evening he also gave clear indications he would seek to distance himself from the socialists, openly differing in opinions with BSP head Korneliya Ninova on judicial reform and on whether Borisov is a good statesperson. Unlike Ninova, he has embraced the idea to introduce a Romanian-style anti-corruption model and has hailed Borisov's work to a certain extent.