The Moldovan Democratic Party is ready to discuss ways of solving the country's political crisis with the Communist opposition, party leader Marian Lupu said on Friday.

"I'm glad that our proposal to the Communist Party for negotiations has already taken form in the Pact on Overcoming the Political Crisis they proposed today," he said. "Now is the time to lay down a strong basis to steer a way out of the crisis," he added.

The ex-Soviet republic, the poorest country in Europe, has been locked in political turmoil since last year's parliamentary polls in which the pro-Western coalition narrowly defeated the communists.

The inability of the new legislature to elect a new president has contributed to Moldova's severe economic crisis.

The ruling coalition plans to hold a referendum to amend election rules and make nominating a new president easier. However, the communists call this plan a "collusion" and "a usurpation of power."

CHISINAU, March 19 (RIA Novosti)