Moldova elects pro-Russian candidate Igor Dodon as president

CHIșINăU, Moldova, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Igor Dodon, a pro-Russian candidate, has become the president of Moldova after winning a second-round election, an election official said Monday.

"In compliance with the legislation, Igor Dodon becomes Moldova's president as he has gained most of the vote during the second round," Central Election Commission chief Alina Russu said.

With 99.9 percent of ballots counted, Dodon won 52.29 percent of votes compared to the 47.71 percent gained by pro-European candidate Maia Sandu. Moldova's first direct presidential election in 20 years was seen as a battle between people who sought better relations with Russia and those who wanted integration into the European Union.

Officials said voter turnout was 53.3 percent. Dodon and Sandu both criticized the Sunday election as poorly organized.

Dodon said he would push for early parliamentary elections in 2017 in order to remove politicians who favor closer ties with the European Union.

Dodon has criticized Moldova's pro-EU leadership for limiting trade partnership with Russia.

"Life in Moldova has become unbearable. Our partnership with Russia has been destroyed ... we lost access to a massive market," Dodon said in a previous speech.

Moldova declared independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union.