Moldovan presidential candidate Stoianoglo recognizes European integration referendum results

CHISINAU. Oct 31 (Interfax) - Alexandr Stoianoglo, who stands in the Moldovan presidential runoff, has said the results of the European integration referendum cannot be challenged.

"The Central Elections Commission confirmed the referendum results and appealed to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court also confirmed the results. As a lawyer, I recognize these results, considering that a Constitutional Court ruling is final and cannot be challenged," Stoianoglo said in a live stream on several websites on Thursday evening, in response to a question whether a court could override the referendum results.

Stoianoglo said he was committed to European Integration. "I am sure that the Republic of Moldova has no other development model but European integration. This is the path of modernization and development," he said.

Stoianoglo cast his ballot in the presidential election, but abstained from taking part in the referendum on October 20. Both he and the Party of Socialists, which nominated him for president, boycotted the referendum.

The Party of Socialists said it would not recognize referendum results.

The Constitutional Court confirmed the referendum results on Thursday, adding that a least a third of voters had to take part in the referendum and most of them had to say "yes" to the constitutional amendments in order to declare the referendum valid. Now, a number of constitutional amendments will be made. In particular, the constitution preamble will say, "European integration is a strategic goal of the Republic of Moldova." Additionally, the Moldovan constitution will have a new chapter, "European Integration."