In the presidential election in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, the incumbent Maia Sandu is ahead as expected after a good two thirds of the votes have been counted. She received more than 36.5% of the votes after around 76% of the ballot papers had been counted, according to the electoral commission. Former attorney general Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate of the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian ex-president Igor Dodon, came second. He received around 29% of the vote, setting the country up for a run-off election in a fortnight’s time. The current figures are based…