Moldova menaced by a return of the communists

A referendum on direct balloting to elect the Moldovan president has failed as a result of low voter turnout. The referendum was meant to end a protracted state crisis, as the country's parliament has so far failed to decide clearly in favour of one presidential candidate. Tudor Darie warns in the blog Voxpublica that the present situation could lead to a return of the communists: "The constitutional crisis continues, and the Moldovan Communist Party is overjoyed. The [governing Alliance for European integration] AIE has had a cold shower. And we who voted them in have received a resounding slap in the face from their leadership. ... If the [communist head of state until 2009] Voronin and his henchmen return to power, I will leave the Republic of Moldova. ... But all is not lost. The communists have won a stage victory, but not the race. If the AIE can settle the conflict in its top ranks ... and start a process of reconsideration, it will win. But if it keeps underestimating its communist opponents it will soon wake up in the opposition."

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