Moldova votes

CHISINAU: Ex-Soviet Moldova went to the polls on Sunday in its first popular presidential election since the 1990s, seen as a tug-of-war between supporters of closer relations with Russia and those seeking EU integration.

The crisis-hit country of 3.5 million wedged between Ukraine and Romania is the poorest in Europe and has struggled with a string of high-profile corruption scandals which are overshadowing the vote.

Presidential candidates are presenting diametrically opposed visions for the country´s future: calling for deeper ties and boosting trade with Moscow, or committing to the path toward Europe.

Voters are leaning in opposite directions as well.

"We can´t be without Russia, that´s our export market" that could provide cheap gas, said Igor Lopukhov, 66, a Russian-speaking pensioner who voted for Socialist Party candidate Igor Dodon, a leader in opinion polls who has vowed to restore cooperation Moscow.

Dodon´s main rival in the polls is former education minister and proponent of EU integration Maya Sandu, who is supported by younger Western-leaning Moldovans.

"We have to build Europe at home," said Ion Lupusor, a 27-year-old who had studied in Europe before going back to his home country.

"If we don´t vote, pensioners will decide the country´s development, and they vote for going ´Back to USSR´," he said.

Forty-one percent of the population live on less than $5 a day while the monthly average salary is $240, according to World Bank figures.

Many Moldovans make ends meet only through remittances sent by relatives working abroad, which make up nearly a quarter of gross domestic product (GDP).

"My daughter sends me money (for food) from Italy," said 70-year-old Zinovia Ilonel, who also voted for Dodon. "She´s never coming home."