CHISINAU – Prime minister Zinaida Greceanii easily won a confidence vote in the parliament of the once Soviet Moldova yesterday after twice being rejected as a candidate for president. She will stay on as head of government.
Ms Greceanii, first named prime minister in March 2008, won 59 votes in the chamber, more than the 52 required to remain in office. “I congratulate the government and wish it every success in its work in these difficult times,” outgoing president Vladimir Voronin told deputies.
Mr Voronin had nominated Ms Greceanii, a fellow Communist, to succeed him to keep the reins of power, but an opposition boycott of the parliamentary ballot twice left her one vote short of victory.
The Communists won 60 seats and three opposition parties won 41 in an April parliamentary election which sparked violent protests by young urban residents.
They were enraged at the prospect of the party continuing to run the country of 4.3 million. Mr Voronin cannot run again after two terms in the country wedged between Ukraine and Romania. – (Reuters)