CHISINAU, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - Vladimir Voronin will step down as president of Moldova to become a member of the ex-Soviet state's parliament, a Communist Party official said on Wednesday.

Under the country's constitution, newly elected parliament speaker Mihai Ghimpu will be acting president. Liberal Party leader Ghimpu has in the past openly supported the country's unification with Romania.

"Vladimir Voronin is leaving for a seat in parliament," the official said.

The Communist faction has 48 seats in a 101-seat parliament.

Voronin's departure means that the Communists have moved to the opposition, refusing to seek any compromise with the parliamentary majority formed by the Liberal-Democratic Party, the Liberal Party and the Democratic Party, as well as the Our Moldova alliance.

In accordance with the constitution, if parliament fails to elect a new president - and the ruling majority currently falls short of being able to do so by eight votes - the legislature is to be dissolved and a new parliamentary election called.

However, parliamentary elections may not be held more than twice a year, whereas there have been two elections so far this year - April 5 and June 29.