Interlic.md

Moldova's outgoing President Vladimir Voronin dissolved parliament on Monday and set July 29 as the date for an early election after lawmakers twice failed to endorse his choice of successor.

In a decree broadcast on state television, the Communist Party leader attacked opposition lawmakers who blocked the parliamentary election of Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii as his replacement.

"These people who call themselves the opposition are seeking neither electoral victory, nor victory for their principles and ideas - they are seeking chaos and destabilisation," Voronin said.

Voronin, who has been in office since 2001, is prohibited from running for a third term under Moldova's constitution.

Fresh polls became necessary on June 3, when 60 deputies voted in favour of Greceanii's candidacy, leaving the communists one vote short of the 60% majority needed in the 101-seat chamber.

The former Soviet republic was plunged into political deadlock after April 5 legislative elections were condemned by the anti-Communist opposition as rigged, provoking bloody protests.

sje/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Susan Houlton