Pro-Europe Parties Lead in Moldova Election

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2014-12-01

Results from parliamentary elections in Moldova show parties that want to pursue closer ties to Europe leading those that want closer relations with Russia.

With 85 percent of the vote counted early Monday, a group of pro-Europe parties had about 44 percent of the vote for the 101-member parliament.

The Socialist Party, which wants Moldova to work more with Russia, led individual parties with 21 percent, but overall pro-Russian parties trailed with a total of 39 percent.

Moldova signed a historic agreement with the European Union earlier this year, despite bitter opposition from Russia, which has troops stationed in the Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transdniestr.

The accord gave people in Moldova visa-free travel to Western Europe, access to a free trade zone and hundreds of millions of euros in funding. Russia retaliated with an embargo on imports of many Moldovan foods.

Moldova, one of Europe's smallest and poorest countries, is wedged between Ukraine and EU member Romania.

Source: Voice of America

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