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Moldova crisis: Snap elections called by interim president Moldova crisis: Snap elections called by interim president
(about 1 hour later)
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. Moldova's pro-Russian President Igor Dodon has been stripped of his duties, escalating a political crisis stemming from inconclusive general elections.
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 move came after his party agreed a coalition cabinet with a pro-European Union block, welcomed by the EU.
Outgoing Prime Minister Pavel Filip's party said the deal was illegal. Outgoing PM Pavel Filip's party challenged the deal and the Constitutional Court intervened to appoint him as interim president.
The Constitutional Court then appointed Mr Filip as interim leader. Mr Filip then announced the dissolution of parliament and new elections.
Parliament, however, has refused to accept his order to dissolve, saying the country's state institutions had been seized. Parliament, however, has refused to accept his order, 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.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 parliament.
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.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.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."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.