CHISINAU, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - Moldova's acting president Vladimir Voronin formally resigned on Wednesday to become a member of parliament, after strongly criticizing the incoming leadership.

"As chairman of the Communist Party I am not going to remain in the dubious and odd position of acting president at this critical time for the motherland and our party," Voronin, who had run the country since 2001, said.

"I have no moral or political reasons to continue performing this high state role as a formality. I am strongly opposed to the way the country is going to be led. Therefore, I am joining parliament as an ordinary member, so that I could be with the party."

Under the country's constitution, newly elected parliamentary speaker Mihai Ghimpu will become acting president. Ghimpu, who leads the Liberal Party, has openly supported unification with Romania.

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.

The communists said in a statement earlier on Wednesday they would continue efforts to form an opposition coalition to prevent political deadlock and "preserve the country's independence and sovereignty."

The communist faction has 48 seats in the 101-seat parliament following the June 29 parliamentary election re-run.

The legislature must elect a new president, but the ruling majority currently falls eight votes short of being able to do so. If no president is elected, the legislature must be dissolved and a new parliamentary election called, according to the constitution. However, parliamentary elections may not be held more than twice a year, meaning no further elections can be held in 2009.