Moldova’s presidential referendum fails

A low turnout in Moldova’s referendum, which was held to decide whether to elect the president by popular vote, has cast doubt on the future of the eastern European nation.

According to official results from the Central Election Commission released on Sunday, only 29.67 percent of voters turned out to cast their ballots.

The figure falls short of the 33.34 percent required by law to make the referendum valid.

Moldova, which is Europe’s poorest country, has been without a president for a year.

The outcome is considered a blow for the country’s West-leaning ruling coalition, which had hoped the referendum would bring the political stalemate to an end.

It is, however, a triumph for the opposition Communists who had called for a boycott of the vote.

The referendum’s failure will likely dissolve Moldova’s parliament, leading to snap elections.