Moldova’s political stalemate is set to continue after the parliament failed to elect a president in a first round of voting boycotted by the opposition.

The chamber must vote again within 15 days and if the outcome is repeated parliament will be dissolved and a new general election called. The Communist candidate, Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii, was one vote short of the 61 needed to win. She is the choice of the outgoing president and current parliamentary speaker, Vladimir Voronin, and the result is seen as a setback in his efforts to keep political influence over the country. Political tensions erupted into violence in the aftermath of April’s election. Voronin’s opponents claimed it was rigged and vented their fury on parliament. A recount failed to resolve the crisis.More about: Moldova

Copyright © 2012 euronews