Moldovan presidential election canceledNovember 15, 2011 - 12:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Presidential elections in Moldova have been canceled after the parties failed to agree on possible candidates, raising the possibility of early parliamentary polls in the former Soviet republic. The elections, scheduled for November 18, were called off after the date for candidate registration expired at midnight on Monday, November 14. If the parties fail to reach an agreement for the second time, early parliamentary elections would have to be called. The country, which has been in political turmoil since parliamentary elections in April 2009, is run by acting president Marian Lupu, who is also the parliamentary speaker. The opposition Communist Party said parliament should set a new date for presidential elections and that they should be held within the next 30 days. “If no candidates are chosen, parliament will have to be dissolved and a date for early parliamentary elections established,” Sergei Syrbu of the Communist Party said. Moldovan experts said leaders of the ruling Alliance for European Integration are embroiled in internal disputes and are unable to rescue the country from the crisis. “The alliance is unable to unblock the situation,” said Nikolai Kirtoake, director of the Independent Institute for Strategic Research in Moldova. He said the country would mostly likely have to hold early parliamentary elections again, RIA Novosti reported. This is the third time Moldovan parliamentarians have failed to choose a presidential candidate since 2009. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |