Moldova’s pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandu on Sunday won a tense presidential runoff, beating her rival backed by a pro-Russian party in what she described as a “lesson in democracy”, writes France24.

The election in the ex-Soviet republic that lies sandwiched between war-torn Ukraine and the European Union has been overshadowed by allegations of meddling by Moscow.

The key vote took place just two weeks after a referendum backed joining the EU by a razor-thin margin. Sandu stood at 54.94% of the vote against 45.06% for Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is supported by the pro-Russian Socialists and whom Sandu fired as prosecutor general last year, according to near-complete results published by the election commission.

“Today, dear Moldovans, you have given a lesson in democracy, worthy of being written in history books. Freedom, truth, justice have prevailed”, - said Sandu.