Moldova's pro-European government led by Prime Minister Vlad Filat collapsed on Tuesday, after the country's Communist Party called for a no-confidence vote, dpa reported. Of the 101 lawmakers in the former Soviet country's parliament, local media reported that 54 voted to oust Filat. The vote was made possible after Filat's Alliance for European Integration lost the support of two coalition partners last week, giving the Communists enough votes to defeat his government. Communist leader Vladimir Voronin is calling for new elections, accusing the government of corruption and arguing that the impoverished country of 4 million has not seen its economy improve under Filat's leadership. Under law, President Nicolae Timofti has 45 days and three attempts to get parliament to approve his candidate for prime minister. If unsuccessful, snap elections must be called.
