Marian Lupu, whose party came fourth in Wednesday's election, told Reuters in an interview he would start talks on Friday with the other liberal parties, who are seeking to end the Communists' grip on power in the former Soviet republic."This is the first step ... We hope that in the end the parties of democratic orientation should work out a common position based on the understanding of common national interests."
It was "absolutely vital", he said, to launch talks later with the Communists, who are just short of 45 percent of the vote. Other parties all told commanded 53 votes in the assembly -- eight short of the 61 needed to elect the president.
Asked how he planned to make up the eight votes, he said: "Please don't be in any hurry to draw conclusions whether they (the Communists) are monolithic or not....Many elements of their cohesion are being propped - and I am not afraid to say so -- by repressive measures and fear."
Lupu defected from the Communists following Moldova's last election in April after becoming disenchanted with long-serving President Vladimir Voronin. Voronin called the new vote after parliament failed to back his chosen successor.
With nearly all votes counted, Lupu's party is expected to win 13 seats in the 101-seat assembly.
The Communists, though still the largest party, have lost their majority and will hold 48 seats, while three pro-Western liberal parties hold a combined 40 seats. "We understand full well that the parties of democratic orientation lack the votes to elect the president. And the issue of appointing a new prime minister hinges on this," he said.
