Preliminary results in Moldova’s second round presidential election have a pro-Moscow candidate in front.<br /><br /> With almost all ballots counted Igor Dodon has claimed victory taking 55% of the vote while his rival has 45%<br /><br /> A loss of trust in pro-European leaders appears to have helped Dodon who wants to restore close ties with Russia.<br /><br /> Speaking shortly after the closure of polling stations on Sunday (Nov.13), Dodon called on his opponent to preserve public order and abstain from protests.<br /><br /> “I want to address the other side – regardless of the result, let’s call on people to be calm. We do not need unrest and protests, we do not need destabilisation in the society.”<br /><br /> Pro-#Putin figures continue to take over the west as they’ve won presidential elections in #Bulgaria & #Moldova pic.twitter.com/2Y8×02pp6m— Thomas van Linge (@arabthomness) November 13, 2016<br /><br /> Dodon’s Russia sympathies are in direct conflict with the pro-European stance of the current government.<br /><br /> Dodon’s opponent who favours European integration Maia Sandu has complained of voting irregularities, highlighting the shortage of ballot papers for overseas voters.<br /><br /> “Unfortunately, this election was badly organised. Polling stations in London, Bologne, Bucharest and Paris ran out of ballots today. Hundreds of people were not able to vote,” said Sandu.<br /><br /> Enthusiasm in Moldova for the EU has waned some what since the country signed a political and trade agreement with the European bloc.The deal damaged its ties with Moscow, which in turn imposed trade restrictions on Moldovan farming exports.<br />
