MOLDOVANS cast their ballots in two key votes today that could determine whether their EU-candidate country remains on a pro-Western path.

Eleven candidates contested a presidential election, with incumbent Maia Sandu predicted to secure another term of office. 

There was also referendum on whether to enshrine Moldova’s pro-EU-orientation in the constitution.

Polls by Chisinau-based think tank WatchDog showed that more than 50 per cent support the EU path. The referendum needs a one-third turnout to be valid.

If Ms Sandu fails to win an outright majority, a run-off will be held on November 3, which could pit her against former-prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo.

The two ballots were held amid ongoing claims by Moldovan authorities that Russia has intensified an alleged “hybrid war” to destabilise the country and knock it off its EU path. 

The alleged campaign includes the funding of pro-Moscow opposition groups, the spreading of disinformation, meddling in local elections and backing a major vote-buying scheme.

Russians has repeatedly denied interfering in Moldova. 

Moldova, a former Soviet republic with a population of about 2.5 million, applied to join the European Union after Russia began its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022 and was granted candidate status that summer.