Moldova votes to join EU, accuses Russia of interference [Video]

Moldovans voted by a razor-thin majority in favor of securing the country’s path toward European Union membership, electoral data showed Monday, after the pro-Western president accused foreign interference and “criminal groups” of trying to undermine the vote in the former Soviet republic.

The “No” vote appeared to be ahead until the last few thousand votes were counted from the large diaspora of Moldova, whose authorities have accused Russia of trying to destabilize the country.

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With 99.41 per cent of votes counted in the EU referendum held Sunday, the “Yes” vote stood at 50.39 per cent and the “No” vote at 49.61 per cent, according to the Central Electoral Commission.

A loss would have been a political disaster for the pro-Western government, which strongly supported the pro-EU campaign.

On Monday, President Maia Sandu reiterated claims that …