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Polls Open In Moldova's Parliamentary Elections

Last updated (GMT/UTC): 28.11.2010 15:27
By RFE/RL

Polls have opened in Moldova for parliamentary elections that aim to end an extended power vacuum in the country.

The elections, which are being contested by 20 parties and 19 independent candidates, require a one-third turnout to be declared valid. According to the Central Election Commission, this level was passed by 3:30 local time.

Moldova has been without a fulltime president for a year, as the pro-Western coalition that has ruled Moldova since the July 2009 elections has been unable to put together the necessary parliamentary majority to elect a new head of state.

The ruling center-right Alliance for European Integration (AIE) has pledged reforms and closer ties with the European Union, but has been unable to implement its program due to the political deadlock.

The Communist Party lost its governing majority in those elections, but remained the largest single party in parliament and has succeeded in blocking the election of a president. The Communists favor closer ties with Russia and other former Soviet republics.

There are 101 seats in the parliament, with 61 votes needed to elect a president.

Yet again, 4 million election-weary Moldovans will be trying to break the political stalemate. The first voters went to the polls after the start of voting at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT).

In Chisinau, the capital, voter Eugeniu Lazar said he was voting for the Liberal Democratic Party of the AIE "because I want stability, finally, in this country."

Breaking The Deadlock

The election, in a country where former Soviet master Russia and EU neighbor Romania vie for influence, will be a test of how well the four-party ruling coalition has sold a pro-Europe message since taking power 15 months ago.

Those four parties -- the Liberal Democrats, the Democrats, the Liberals, and Our Moldova -- are campaigning in the elections separately.

The AIE has sought to move Moldova, one of Europe's poorest states with an average monthly salary of $230, closer to mainstream European institutions. It is trying to make itself eligible for EU membership one day by improving crumbling infrastructure and government services through funding and aid projects from abroad.

Moldova's interim president, liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu, told journalists after casting his vote that he expects the AIE to secure a majority to be able to elect the new president for a full four-year mandate.

Ghimpu said such a mandate would "bring Moldova closer to the European Union, a better life for citizens, more jobs, pensions, salaries. This is possible [to achieve] in four years, compared to just one year we have had so far."

But the leader of the opposition Communist Party, Vladimir Voronin, expressed confidence that his party would regain the power it lost last year. Voronin told reporters after casting his ballot that he expected the Communists to secure a constitutional majority.

"I have voted first of all to end the almost two-year-long political crisis, I have voted for the development of our country for the improvement of our citizens' life and for the European future of our country," Voronin said.

Voting will continue until 9 p.m. local time. The initial results are not expected until early on November 29. Only then will Moldovans know the future direction of their country.

written by Abubakar Siddique with reporting from RFE/RL's Moldovan Service correspondent Alexandru Eftode, and agency material

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ modova_elections/2232737.html

Copyright (c) 2010. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.