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Moldova faces new poll after parliament fails to elect president

RIA Novosti

15:5703/06/2009 CHISINAU, June 3 (RIA Novosti) - Moldova's new parliament failed to elect a president in the second and final attempt on Wednesday and will face dissolution, paving the way for a new general election.

The ruling Communist Party was unable to persuade the opposition to support the country's former premier Zinaida Greceanii as the new leader. She fell one vote short of the required 61 as the opposition maintained its boycott of the ballot on Wednesday.

Voronin, who must step down after serving two consecutive presidential terms, will have to appoint new elections in the ex-Soviet republic, Europe's poorest nation.

"As the vote was blocked on May 20 and June 3, circumstances exist for parliament to be dissolved," Voronin said.

New elections should take place within 45 days of parliament being disbanded.

The parliamentary polls in April sparked protests in the capital, Chisinau, that were originally led by the opposition but spiraled out of control when some 10,000 rioters broke into the presidential residence and parliament. Several hundred protesters and police were injured in the violence.

The opposition said the election was rigged, but OSCE monitors gave their overall endorsement of the voting process.

Our Moldova opposition alliance leader Serafim Urechean told reporters after talks with Voronin earlier on Wednesday that the president's cooperation proposal had come too late.

And the opposition Liberal Democratic Party's leader, Vlad Filat, said: "We have no moral right to strike a deal with the Communists."

The Communists hold 60 seats in the 101-member assembly. Their other presidential candidate, former ambassador to Russia Andrei Neguta, nominated after the first attempt failed, scored no votes on Wednesday.

Moldovan and foreign political experts say a new general election would be extremely undesirable, as the cost would strain an already cash-strapped budget and further divide an already disaffected society.

Voronin moved to reinstate Greceanii as premier later on Wednesday, nominating her as a candidate for the post.

Voronin has repeatedly said he will not sign the decree dissolving parliament or set an election date until a new government has been approved. Just 51 votes are needed for parliament to approve the government's line up.

Greceanii will have a week to form a government. Parliament will meet on June 10 to discuss the new lineup and agenda.