Moldova's Constitutional Court rules speaker's election legal

Moldova's Constitutional Court ruled Tuesday that the election of Mihai Ghimpu as parliamentary speaker was legal, a court spokesman said.

CHISINAU, September 8 (RIA Novosti) - Moldova's Constitutional Court ruled Tuesday that the election of Mihai Ghimpu as parliamentary speaker was legal, a court spokesman said.

The country's Communist Party earlier appealed to the court over the speaker's election by parliament in late August, calling it illegal.

Dmitry Tsyra said the court's six judges were divided over the legality of the speaker's election, so Ghimpu will remain parliamentary speaker and will fulfill the duties of head of state. Former president Vladimir Voronin resigned earlier this month.

Communist Party lawmaker Vadim Mishin told RIA Novosti that the court's decision has no legal force.

"The Constitutional Court has in fact made no ruling, as the votes were three to three, so parliament's previous decision remains in force," he said.

Voronin formally resigned as acting leader on September 2 to become a member of parliament, after strongly criticizing the incoming leadership.

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

The ruling majority in parliament currently falls eight votes short of being able to elect a new president. If no leader 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.