Outgoing President Voronin elected parliament speaker 12 May by Communist deputies; opposition boycotted vote. Parliamentary vote to elect new president 20 May also boycotted by opposition, leaving Communist candidate Zinaida Greceanii 1 vote short of 61 required for victory. Second vote scheduled 3 June – opposition pledged to continue boycott.

Following disputed Communist victory in 5 April parliamentary elections, at least 15,000 protested 6 Apr against alleged rigging; turned violent 7 Apr as protesters stormed presidency, parliament buildings. Authorities regained control next day. Several hundred police and protesters injured, several hundred detained. 3 protesters died, including 2 in police detention; European Parliament mission subsequently reported “acts of horrible violence” by police. President Voronin 7 Apr said Romania involved in initiating protests, expelled ambassador. OSCE gave initial positive election report, but subsequently reported falsification of voter lists. Constitutional Court 13 Apr ordered vote recount; Central Election Commission 22 Apr confirmed results: Communists won 60 out of 101 seats. EU Presidency.

EU 20 March announced Eastern Partnership (EP) program, to include Moldova (see Belarus); senior official 25 March reiterated country’s discontent, said Moldova as member of EU Stability Pact should get faster EU integration. Kremlin hosted 18 March talks between President Voronin, Transdniestrian leader Smirnov. Parties agreed Russian peacekeeping force in Transdniestria could be replaced by international mission following peace deal. Follow-up talks cancelled by Voronin after Transdniestria 24 March imposed ban on 1 U.S., 2 EU diplomats, in retaliation to EU’s extension of travel ban on Transdniestrian officials until 2010. Gas supplies disrupted after 1 Apr pipeline blast in Transdniestria; cause uncertain. Polls show Voronin’s Communist party lead ahead of 5 Apr elections for new parliament, which will select Voronin’s successor.

Parliament voted to hold election 5 Apr. Deputy PM 10 Feb said Russian troops should leave Transdniester, both countries expect OSCE-led ‘5+2’ negotiations to resume 2009. Russian FM in late-month visit ahead of anticipated March 3-way meeting with Transdniester leader.

Opposition Liberal Party collecting signatures protesting against closure of independent Pro TV station, after authorities indicated rejection of license renewal. President Voronin 3 Dec rejected EU proposals to lower election threshold for parties to win seats in parliament ahead of next year’s parliamentary vote.

Police 13 Nov blocked opposition rally calling for Russian troop withdrawal from Moldova. Russian Deputy PM Igor Shuvalov 14 Nov offered to mediate Transdniester settlement. Separatist authorities 3 Nov denied President Voronin entry to Transdniester.

EU senior diplomat Kalman Miszei 6 Oct announced start of negotiations for new partnership agreement with Moldova by year end. NATO head de Joop Scheffer 30 Oct called on Russia to withdraw troops from Transdniester as agreed at 1999 OSCE Istanbul summit.

25 Sept talks with Transdniester separatists cancelled, despite renewed efforts for solution: OSCE 8 Sept announced plans for renewed “5+2” talks; Russian President Medvedev restated commitment to peaceful solution in meeting with separatist leader Igor Smirnov 3 Sept.

Russian President Medvedev warned President Voronin against use of force in Transdniester in 25 Aug meeting. Romanian President Basescu and Voronin 20 Aug called for greater EU involvement in Transdniester conflict settlement.

In renewed effort to resolve Transdniester conflict OSCE, Russia, Ukraine as mediators, EU, U.S. as observers held separate meetings with President Voronin, Transdniester leader Korolyov 21-23 July.