MOLDOVA-POLLS CLOSE/VOTE COUNTING Moldova polls close, move towards Europe might slow
Record ID:
328388
MOLDOVA-POLLS CLOSE/VOTE COUNTING Moldova polls close, move towards Europe might slow
- Title: MOLDOVA-POLLS CLOSE/VOTE COUNTING Moldova polls close, move towards Europe might slow
- Date: 30th November 2014
- Summary: CHISINAU, MOLDOVA (NOVEMBER 30, 2014) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** MEMBER OF ELECTION COMMISSION PICKING UP A BALLOT BOX AND PUTTING IT ON THE TABLE. VARIOUS OF MAN CUTTING SEALS OF THE BALLOT BOX MAN OPENING, TURNING OVER THE BALLOT BOX AND EMPTYING IT ON THE TABLE PILE OF BALLOT PAPERS ON THE TABLE VARIOUS OF ELECTION COMMISSION MEMBERS COUNTING BALLOTS OBSERVERS WATCHING THE COUNT COUNT IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 15th December 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAD7UP3DGJR8SH5S878UW8XTG74
- Story Text: Ex-Soviet Moldova voted on Sunday (November 30) as polls showed the outcome might slow, though not halt, its moves to shift towards the European Union and away from Russia, which has hurt its economy by banning its wines and other prime exports.
Surveys show public opinion in one of Europe's smallest and poorest countries is divided over whether to stick to the pro-Europe path pursued by the ruling centre-right coalition or reverse course and join the Russia-led economic bloc.
Moldova's breakaway pro-Russian enclave of Transdniestria gives Russia a potential springboard, but Moscow has so far shown no readiness to intervene as it has done in Ukraine, which has also pursued a pro-Europe agenda.
In pre-election opinion polls, the communists came in as a front-runner at 24 percent and the three pro-EU coalition parties, including the Liberal Democratic party of Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, together at 38 to 43 percent.
Moldova's communist opposition leader, former president Vladimir Voronin, supports integration with Europe, but he also aims to revise the trade part of an agreement with the European Union to protect domestic food producers from being overwhelmed by EU competition.
He also aims to improve relations with Moscow, Moldova's big energy provider, though he has been on poor terms with Russia since turning down a deal on Transdniestria a decade ago.
The parties need to gain at least 6 percent of the vote to win seats in the 101-seat parliament. A simple majority is required to form a government.
Polls opened closed at 1900 GMT. No exit polls are planned, but early results are expected around midnight local time (2200GMT). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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