A national referendum on amendments to the Moldovan Constitution held on September 5 brought no result either: it was declared invalid due to low voter turnout. The citizens were to decide if the president should be elected directly, or – as it is now – by the parliament. The ruling four-party coalition, Alliance for European Integration, suggested the referendum in an attempt to put an end to the political stalemate that has left the former Soviet republic with only an interim president for more than a year.

The pro-Western coalition came to power in July 2009 following eight years of Communist rule. Back in April 2009, after the communists gained victory in the parliamentary vote, the opposition accused them of rigging the vote. That was despite the fact that the Central Election Committee confirmed the results, and international observers declared the elections were fair.

Thousands took to the streets of the capital Chisinau. The protest rally turned violent and the crowd stormed the presidential palace and parliament, burning and damaging everything on their way. Days of unrest resulted in hundreds or people injured. In July 2009, a second election was held bringing the opposition to power.

After ex-President and Communist leader Vladimir Voronin’s resignation in September last year, the Parliamentary Speaker and Head of the Liberal Party Mihai Ghimpu has remained acting president.