Near-final results in Moldova's local elections show Chisinau's pro-European Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca slightly ahead but without enough votes to win outright.
The ballot on Sunday was seen as a test of whether Moldova would remain committed to European integration or choose to move closer to Russia.
With 98.79 percent of the vote counted early Monday, Chirtoaca had 37.39 percent of the vote and pro-Russian challenger Zinaida Greceanai had 35.95 percent.
There will be runoffs on June 28 for cities where no candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote.
The elections in the former Soviet republic came days after pro-European Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici resigned amid questions about the authenticity of his high school diploma and university degree.
