Moldova's parliament on Friday scheduled its second attempt at electing a new national president for December 7.

Marian Lupu, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, is the sole candidate.

On November 10, the Communists, who hold 48 seats in Moldova's 101-member parliament, declined to take part in what they called "a political farce." Sixty-one votes are needed to elect a president.

A former Communist, Lupu left the party after it failed to nominate him for president in the summer. The Communists' attempt to elect a president was foiled by an opposition boycott, prompting snap elections that the opposition narrowly won.

If the election rerun brings no result, acting president and parliamentary speaker Mihai Ghimpu will be forced to dissolve the legislature and set early parliamentary polls.

However, a new parliamentary election cannot be held before next fall.

CHISINAU, November 27 (RIA Novosti)