A referendum that constitutionally enshrines a national objective to join the E.U. passed by a thin margin. The incumbent pro-E.U. president won the most votes in a concurrent election, but faces a runoff.

Moldovans have started casting ballots in two key votes that could determine whether the European Union candidate country, which neighbors Ukraine, remains on a pro-western path amid ongoing allegatio

A narrow vote in favor of opening a path to EU membership in the tiny economy of Moldova highlights Russia’s influence that remains strong in the region. The former Soviet republic sought to break the Kremlin’s decade’s-long grip,