The early elections mark a relative defeat for the ruling Communist Party, which will get 15 seats less than it did in the April election, despite emerging as the single largest political force in the country.
With 97.6% of the ballot counted, the Communist party remains on top with 45.1% of the vote, followed by the Liberal Democratic Party (15.2% or 16 seats), the Democratic Party (13.1% or 14 seats), the Liberal Party (12.2% or 13 seats) and Our Moldova Alliance (7.3% or seven seats).
But with 48 MPs, the ruling Communist party has no majority and is thrown into opposition, as the other parties together hold 53 seats in the 101-seat Parliament.
However, the stalemate in the former Soviet Republic remains, as a majority of 61 MPs is needed to elect a president.
Political analysts note in particular the good score, obtained by the Democratic party of Marian Lupu, a former communist, who entered into conflict with communist leader Vladimir Voronin and established his own opposition party. Leading experts on Moldova see Lupu as a 'kingmaker' (EurActiv 28/07/09).
Voronin, the country's president up to now, made it clear he wants to preserve influence after a successor is chosen and warned Moldovans that a vote against his party would place the country in danger of assimilation from Romania.
The Communists campaigned under the slogan 'Defend your Motherland', calling the democratic opposition "pro-Romanian".
Romanian MEP Marian Jean Marinescu, who was an observer of the elections in the capital Chsinau, reported that from what he saw, the poll had taken place "without things getting out of hand". He also said he was positively impressed by the high turnout, estimated at 58%.
However, other observers noted that no vote had taken place in the region of Transnistria (see 'Background'), as people waiving Russian flags had prevented the population from accessing polling stations.
Observer Cristian Preda quoted one of the militants preventing the vote from taking place as saying:
"This is a territory we control, here there is no Moldova, people here can vote for Russia, for Ukraine, but not for the power in Chisinau," the activist said.
