Moldova's incumbent President Maia Sandu received 40.86% of the vote in the presidential election, ahead of opposition candidate Alexandr Stoianoglu, according to the preliminary results published by the country's electoral commission.
If no candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote, two candidates with the most votes in the first round will proceed to the run-off. Sandu is widely seen as a pro-European politician seeking to establish closer links with the West.
The presidential election is held alongside a referendum on whether to enshrine EU membership aspirations in the constitution.
