EU Pledges Billions in Support as Moldova Faces Crucial Elections

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Moldovans to participate in two crucial upcoming elections and announced that the European Union has earmarked 1.8 billion euros ($1.97 billion) in financial support for the economy of one of Europe's poorest countries in the next three years. Pro-Western President Maia Sandu is running for a second term on October 20, when voters will also have their say in a referendum on joining the 27-member European Union.Von der Leyen, who traveled to Moldova on October 10 in a show of support for…