CHISINAU. Nov 6 (Interfax) - Alexandr Stoianoglo, who lost the Moldovan presidential election, has said he would continue political struggle and counts on a broader consolidation of Moldovans.
"This is not a final defeat, it is only a lost battle," and "we will not stop there," Stoianoglo said in a video message on social media on Wednesday evening that is his first public appearance since the election day.
"The results showed that we lost, though we won here [at the polling stations] in Moldova. The majority of you gave me your trust [...]. This is a moral victory that was clearly heard from all parts of the country, as Moldova wants another thing, and it wants this now. Moldova is longing for justice, unity, and respect for the people. This campaign clearly showed the borders, political bias and taking control of the core government institutions, including the media outlets and civil society," Stoianoglo said.
The ruling authorities' win in the election "is built on dirt, fear, hatred and censorship," so its defeat is inevitable, he said. "It is only a matter of time. Manipulation, hate speech and split cannot serve as a long-term basis," he said.
"Let's acknowledge that we need a broader consolidation of citizens for the sake of building a modern and fair Moldova. This is the time to quicken the step with dignity, even when others win at any cost. Our struggle for a free, stable and prosperous Moldova is just beginning. We will be moving forward, with our heads held high, with the same resolve, together with you. This is just the beginning of a new path," Stoianoglo said.
Incumbent Moldovan President Maia Sandu won the presidential election in the second round, which was held on November 3. She garnered 55.33% of the vote, while her rival, former Moldovan Prosecutor General Stoianoglo, who ran from the opposition Party of Socialists, gained 44.67% of the vote.
At the same time, Sandu won thanks to the mass vote of Moldovan citizens at polling stations abroad, where 83% of voters out of nearly 300,000 citizens who took part in the voting voted for her. At the polling stations in Moldova, Sandu won 48.81% of the vote against 51.19% for Stoianoglo. For this reason, the Party of Socialists said it did not recognize the legitimacy of Sandu's reelection as president.