This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48572304

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Moldova crisis: Snap elections called by interim president Moldova crisis: Snap elections called by interim president
(32 minutes later)
Moldova's political crisis has escalated, with the interim president dissolving parliament and calling snap elections on 6 September. Moldova's political crisis has escalated with the appointment of an interim president who has announced the dissolution of parliament and called snap elections on 6 September.
But the parliament declared the move illegal, saying the country's state institutions had been seized. The move came after President Igor Dodon's pro-Russia Socialists and pro-EU block Acum formed a new coalition government, welcomed by the EU.
The stalemate follows February's polls, where no clear winner emerged between rival pro-EU and pro-Russian parties. Outgoing Prime Minister Pavel Filip's party said the deal was illegal.
Sunday's move saw the Constitutional Court sack Russian-backed Igor Dodon in favour of pro-EU former PM Pavel Filip. The Constitutional Court then appointed Mr Filip as interim leader.
Parliament, however, has refused to accept his order to dissolve, saying the country's state institutions had been seized.
There are now fears that the prolonged political crisis could lead to violent clashes on the streets.There are now fears that the prolonged political crisis could lead to violent clashes on the streets.
Moldova, a former Soviet republic, lies between the EU member state Romania and Ukraine and is one of Europe's poorest countries.Moldova, a former Soviet republic, lies between the EU member state Romania and Ukraine and is one of Europe's poorest countries.
What's happening in Moldova?What's happening in Moldova?
Elections in Moldova in February resulted in stalemate, with no clear winner emerging between rival pro-EU and pro-Russian parties.
On Sunday, the Constitutional Court in the capital Chisinau relieved Mr Dodon of his duties because of his refusal to dissolve the parliament.On Sunday, the Constitutional Court in the capital Chisinau relieved Mr Dodon of his duties because of his refusal to dissolve the parliament.
This comes a day after the pro-EU Acum political bloc and Mr Dodon's Socialists struck an unlikely deal and formed a compromise government. This came a day after the pro-EU Acum political bloc and Mr Dodon's Socialists struck an unlikely deal and formed a compromise government.
In parliament, lawmakers also declared that Moldova's state and legal institutions "have been seized" by influential oligarchs, calling for the resignation of several top officials.In parliament, lawmakers also declared that Moldova's state and legal institutions "have been seized" by influential oligarchs, calling for the resignation of several top officials.
But their opponents say the formation of the new government took place a day after a constitutional deadline for this expired - a claim both Acum and the Socialists dispute.But their opponents say the formation of the new government took place a day after a constitutional deadline for this expired - a claim both Acum and the Socialists dispute.
Mr Filip's Democratic Party - which is led by Moldova's richest man Vladimir Plahotniuc - later filed a legal challenge which was backed by the Constitutional Court.Mr Filip's Democratic Party - which is led by Moldova's richest man Vladimir Plahotniuc - later filed a legal challenge which was backed by the Constitutional Court.
In response, Mr Dodon described this as desperate steps to usurp power.In response, Mr Dodon described this as desperate steps to usurp power.
And the European Union has expressed support for the new coalition government.
"The European Union stands ready to work with the democratically legitimate government," a statement issued on Sunday said.
Is this political tug-of-war unusual?Is this political tug-of-war unusual?
No. In Moldova, a parliamentary republic, the rival political camps frequently clash with one another.No. In Moldova, a parliamentary republic, the rival political camps frequently clash with one another.
Therefore the country - where the electorate is split between EU- and Russia-sympathisers - has witnessed several such crises in recent years.Therefore the country - where the electorate is split between EU- and Russia-sympathisers - has witnessed several such crises in recent years.
They usually end up in holding snap elections, but results are often inconclusive.They usually end up in holding snap elections, but results are often inconclusive.