Moldovan opposition boycott president's election in poll protest

Moldovan opposition boycott president's election in poll protestChisinau/Moscow - Moldova's opposition used its parliamentary strength Saturday to boycott an attempt by the ruling communists to elect their candidate president, Interfax news agency reported. The blocking tactic came after two weeks of bloody rioting in the capital of the former Soviet republic, after the communists won an April 5 parliamentary election in disputed circumstances.

"The opposition has a golden voice which is worth more than the 60 votes of the communists," an opposition spokesman said.

The election saw the communists win 60 of the 101 seats in the Chisinau parliament, making them the largest party, but 61 votes are needed for a majority.

The date for a fresh attempt to elect a president remains unclear. Under the constitution, the outgoing head of state, Vladimir Voronin, has the power to determine an acting successor.

Moldova's Supreme Court this set a deadline for the legislature to select a president, ruling that parliament must choose the chief executive by July 7 - creating another potential flashpoint.

The opposition said it would be collating evidence that the parliamentary election had been tampered with, although international observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe deemed it largely free and fair.

Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. (dpa)

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