Moldova’s crucial referendum on joining the European Union is too close to call, partial results showed Monday, as President Maia Sandu condemned an “unprecedented assault” on the country’s democracy.

The tight finish - with fewer than 1.5% of the ballots still to be counted - is far from a resounding endorsement of the pro-EU path that Sandu has pursued

Incumbent President Maia Sandu has been placed just a few percentage points ahead of her rival in the presidential election, exit polls suggest, as the nation also voted against joining the EU in a referendum.