CHISINAU, Moldova, April 10 (UPI) -- The president of Moldova called Friday for a full recount of votes in the disputed parliamentary election, seizing the issue from protesters.
President Vladimir Voronin said in a statement that a recount would be "a major argument for maintaining political stability, peace and mutual trust in Moldova," Radio Free Europe reported.
Moldova, a small landlocked nation wedged between Romania and Ukraine, is one of the poorest countries in Europe. About one-quarter of its citizens have gone abroad looking for work.
The Communist Party won almost half the votes in Sunday's election. Three pro-Western parties picked up about 30 percent of the vote between them.
Hundreds of people protested the results Monday and Tuesday. About 70 people were arrested Tuesday and scores injured in clashes between protesters and police.
The Central Election Commission has agreed to check voter lists, Radio Free Europe said. Serafim Urechean of the Our Moldova Alliance called Voronin's recount call a "manipulation" and said he was trying to mislead Moldovan and international critics.
