Moldovan President Maya Sandu stated that membership in the European Union is the only way forward for Moldova, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
Sandu, who is running for a second term, took first place in the first round of the presidential election, which was held on October 20, with 42% of the vote. However, she failed to collect 50% and this Sunday she will face a run-off against the former chief prosecutor of Moldova Alexander Stoianoglo.
Before the runoff, Sandhu described his opponent as a "tool in the hands of evil forces".
In the first round, Stojanoglo, whom Sandu removed from the post of chief prosecutor, won 26% of the votes.
"For Moldova, there is no alternative to integration with the European Union," the president said during a televised debate.
"Stoyanoglo is simply a tool of evil forces. If it wasn't him, it would be someone else. We must not leave our country in the hands of thieves and bandits. We have to save democracy," Maya Sandu pointed out.
In Sandu's words from Sunday, Styanoglo is a "Trojan horse" and a "Moscow man" who serves the interests of the Kremlin.
On Sunday, Stojanoglo accused Sandu of not fulfilling his presidential duties properly and of doing nothing for the country despite his good intentions.
After the first round of the election, Sandu said there was "clear evidence" that criminal groups backed by "foreign forces that are hostile to our national interests" had tried to buy 300,000 votes.
Sandu and her allies are presenting the presidential election as a choice between a future in Europe and ties with Moscow, notes Reuters.