Moldova's Communists threaten to be forceful opposition

Moldova's dominant Communist Party said on Friday it may go into opposition if liberal parties form a coalition in the new parliament after this week's general election.

CHISINAU, July 31 (RIA Novosti) - Moldova's dominant Communist Party said on Friday it may go into opposition if liberal parties form a coalition in the new parliament after this week's general election.

"There are no other ways to resist scenarios for ruining the economy, welfare and Moldova's statehood itself," the party said in a news release following a meeting chaired by President Vladimir Voronin.

The Communists won the early election with 44.7% of the vote, or 48 seats in the 101-member legislature, according to preliminary results. The four opposition parties will have 53 seats if they manage to agree a coalition, and could form a government and elect a parliamentary speaker.

The Communists and the opposition parties will need to work together to elect a new president, as both camps fall short of the 61 votes needed. The former Soviet state may otherwise face a third election this year.

The Communists was 60 seats in the April election, which triggered violent protests in the capital, Chisinau. Wednesday's snap election was forced after the opposition twice blocked the election of the presidential candidate proposed by Voronin, who is due to step down after two terms in office.

A major role could be played by former Communist parliament speaker Marian Lupu, who defected to the Democratic Party and lifted it to 13 seats in the new assembly.

The party did not pass the threshold to receive seats in the previous parliament but now could elect a president in tandem with the Communists, although Lupu has already ruled out joining his former colleagues in a two-party coalition.