Moldova’s president Maia Sandu hails voters’ refusal to be ‘bought’ by Moscow

Ruling party holds on to its majority in Sunday's poll, which it says is strong mandate for EU accession'

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Moldova's pro-western president, Maia Sandu, hailed voters' refusal to be bought" by Moscow after her ruling party held on to its parliamentary majority in Sunday's pivotal election, bolstering the tiny country's aspiration of joining the EU and distancing itself from Russia's influence.

We did not allow ourselves to be bought, intimidated or frightened," she said on Monday. We mobilised and defended our country through honest, democratic choice.