Alliance leaders willing to negotiate with Communists

Leaders of the ruling Alliance for European Integration have responded to President Voronin's statements during a press conference today. Mr. Voronin said the Party of Communists would be willing to vote for a presidential candidate and avoid pushing for early elections if the Alliance fulfills two conditions.

First, it needs to keep and increase all of the social welfare benefits currently in place. Second, the Alliance needs to preserve Moldova's military neutrality (which is noted in the Constitution) and to give the breakaway republic of Transnistria autonomy.

Liberal Democratic Party head Vlad Filat told the press that he would be willing to sit down to talk with the Communists about the conditions despite the fact that they are "odd."

Liberal Party head and current Speaker Mihai Ghimpu noted that Democratic Party head Marian Lupu, for whom Mr. Voronin said the Communists would not vote because he is a "traitor" and a "leech," remains the Alliance's presidential candidate.

Moldova Noastra [Our Moldova] Alliance head and first deputy Speaker Serafim Urechean said that "the Communist faction will vote for the President" anyway.

Finally, Democratic Party head Marian Lupu stressed that Mr. Voronin's conditions would be "discussed in great detail."

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