Moldova's first direct presidential election in 20 years appeared likely heading towards a runoff vote as no candidate had a majority after 95 per cent of the ballots had been counted late Sunday, according to dpa. Pro-Russia candidate Igor Dodon had the apparent lead with about 49 per cent of the votes, while pro-EU candidate Maia Sandu was in second place with about 37 per cent, state news agency Moldpres reported, citing the country's Central Electoral Commission. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a runoff election could take place in two weeks. Moldova's current government has expressed ambitions to join the European Union, but the Eastern European country has been struggling to define its course between potential EU membership and allegiances to its former Soviet ruler, Moscow. Sunday's election was considered a strong indicator of the country's future direction. Dodon's Party of Socialists foresees the country in a close partnership with Russia. Dodon told reporters as he cast his ballot in the capital, Chisinau, that he was seeking a "new beginning" for his country, where "our children will live better, and their parents and pensioners will feel that the government needs them." Sandu, a liberal former minister of education, told reporters in Chisinau that she was seeking to unite the country under a leadership of "honest and fair people" to "restore order together," according to comments carried by Moldpres. Moldova's economy was crippled in recent years as a billion dollars - about an eighth of the country's gross domestic product - went missing from local banks. Much of the blame has been focused on former high-ranking officials. Amid mass protests this year, the country's constitutional court reinstated the direct election for president. Since 1996, parliament had decided who to appoint to the top office.
