Repeat parliamentary elections in Moldova expected to be calm

15:05, 29 July 2009

CHISINAU. July 29. KAZINFORM Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin believes the riots that followed April's parliamentary elections will not be repeated after the rerun of the vote on Wednesday, Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

Opposition protests against vote rigging in the parliamentary polls spiraled out of control two days after the April 5 election, when some 10,000 rioters broke into the presidential residence and parliament in the capital, Chisinau. Several hundred protesters and police were injured in the violence.

Moldova's constitution required new elections be held after the parliament voted in on April 5 twice failed to elect a president.

The Communist Party, which garnered 60 seats in the 101-member parliament, failed to get former prime minister Zinaida Greceanii elected president. She fell one vote short of the required 61 as the opposition boycotted both ballots.

Voronin said he was sure the Communist Party, which he leads, will win in the parliamentary elections, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.

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