Moldovans Reject Entry to the EU in Constitutional Referendum
A woman examines her ballot paper in a polling station in Hrusevo village, Moldova, 20 October 2024. Moldova holds presidential election and a referendum on whether to enshrine in the Constitution the country’s path to EU membership on 20 October. Photo: EFE/EPA/DUMITRU DORU
October 20, 2024 Hour: 5:33 pm
With almost 60 per cent of ballots counted on Sunday, Moldovans have said “NO” in today’s referendum to approve or reject the access of the Western European country to the European Union.
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On Sunday presidential elections were carried out with early results showing the incumbent pro-Western president Maia Sandu ahead in the presidential election that is happening alongside the EU referendum.
According to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), 43.14% of Moldovans voted for the Yes option but 56.86% were against European integration.
Despite the “No” majority the result to be valid needs at least 33% of the electorate would need to participate.
Moldovan government, which started accession negotiations in December 2023, to receive on the eve of the vote a big boost from Brussels with an assistance package of 1.8 billion euros for the next three years.
Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe, was hoping to join the EU by 2030, where it already exports 65% of its products and receives more than 80% of direct investment.
Before the referendum, surveys showed around 55% of Moldovans would support the move, while 34% were against it.
Autor: ACJ
Fuente: EFE // DW // Al Jazeera