Democratic Party head and potential Presidential candidate Marian Lupu: We will not hold separate negotiations with the Communists

Marian Lupu, head of the Democratic Party, one of the four parties making up the Alliance for European Integration, told Stirea Zilei that his party would not hold separate negotiations with the Party of Communists (PC) after the PC refused to hold talks with the Alliance as an entity.

The PC said it would try to form a center-left coalition with either the Democrats or with Moldova Noastra. Mr. Lupu defected from the Party of Communists after the April 5 legislative elections. He had been Speaker between 2005 and 2009, and many expected him to be the Communist presidential candidate after April 5. The PC nominated Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii instead.

Mr. Lupu said that "the PC is probably hoping that the long-circulated idea that Lupu wants to be President at any cost becomes true, so they're trying to play this card. But, I repeat, the Democrats and me personally have never been obsessed by the desire to be President."

The PC said it would vote for Mr. Lupu for President if the Democrats join it in a center-left coalition.

Mr. Lupu suggested that he would speak to his Alliance partners about not getting the Presidency as a result of the leadership seat distribution in order to put an end to speculations.