Moldova's incumbent President and presidential candidate Maia Sandu casts her ballots at a polling station, as the country holds a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, in Chisinau, Moldova October 20, 2024. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo

The tight finish - with fewer than 1.5% of the ballots still to be counted - is far from a resounding endorsement of the pro-EU path that Sandu has pursued

A slim majority of 50.39% voted "yes" in Moldova's crunch referendum on European Union accession, preliminary results showed, after President Maia Sandu said that Sunday's twin votes had been marred by "unprecedented" outside interference.