She cites as her favourite book “A Fish in the Water” by Mario Vargas Llosa, a liberal-minded Nobel prizewinner who failed in a bid to become Peru’s president. So far Ms Sandu, despite Russia’s best efforts, has been no loser. ■

For many Moldovans, President Maia Sandu has become a symbol of change as she seeks to chart a new pro-European path for the former Soviet Republic.

President Maia Sandu secured a victory in the first round of Moldova’s presidential election, but suffered a blow as an expected victory in a referendum on the country joining the European Union was too close to call with almost all votes counted.