Moldovans face vote to clear political impasse

Previews and reports of the referendum held in Moldova on the 5 September 2010. The country held the referendum to try to end a constitutional im­passe that has left the tiny former Soviet republic with only an interim president for more than a year. The referendum asked the electorate to approve a new constitution introducing, among other things, direct presidential elections.

The political deadlock has hindered efforts to modernise Mol­dova, leaving it desperately poor and divided politically, physically and linguistically.

In the event the referendum failed to provide the government with the sanction to move forward with the reform.

IFES: Election Monitor: Moldova: Referendum, 5 September 2010 http://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/156/

ESO: Background information: Moldova considers constitutional change http://www.europeansources.info/record/moldova-considers-constitutional-change/

Wikipedia: Moldovan constitutional referendum, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldovan_constitutional_referendum,_2010

Deutsche Welle, 6.9.10: Moldovan voters give cold shoulder to poll on constitutional reform http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5977152,00.html

BBC News, 6.9.10: Moldova 'fails to pass' presidential referendum http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11195922

EurActiv, 6.9.10: Moldova's presidency referendum flops http://www.euractiv.com/east-mediterranean/moldovas-presidency-referendum-f-news-497454

Timpul, 6.9.10: Referendum flop (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief-cover/331691-referendum-flop

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