On Monday, the citizens of Moldova decided by a narrow margin to begin the process to join the European Union.
With more than 99 percent of the votes tallied, the country’s Central Election Commission reported the measure passed with 50.39 percent in favor.
The referendum occurred amid accusations that the Kremlin invested $108 million to sway the population against the proposal, employing tactics such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. The charges have been repeatedly denied by Moscow.
Soon after Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, the small landlocked nation applied for E.U. membership and received candidate status the following June.
Alongside the approval to participate in the political bloc, Moldova’s pro-Brussels president, Maia Sandu, secured 41 percent support to win the first round of her re-election effort.
