At the end of three years of political turmoil, Moldovans finally have a president. The parliament elected as head of state a Europhile, Nicolae Timofti, until then president of the magistrates' council. The president's post has been vacant since 2009 due to the inability of the MPs to reach a necessary majority, explains Moldovan daily Timpul.
The election comes at a key moment, says Moldovan leader writer George Damian, because —
… it is a secret for no one that Russia hopes for a government in Chişinău that will accept the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria. [...] This situation explains all the events currently affecting Moldova.
The alternative, however, would be, he concludes —
… to keep the current coalition [Alliance for European Integration, AIE] while aiming for the European Union [...] because, in spite of its problems, Moldova can join the EU in the near future [...] The Union evolves, principles are discussed, solutions are sought, but it will not disappear and Moldavia has the opportunity to join this community of States.