March 20 (SeeNews) - Moldova's president Igor Dodon said on Wednesday he has signed a decree convening the new parliament on March 21.
Dodon will deliver a speech before the first session of the new parliament elected on February 24, the president said in a social media post.
Last week, pro-EU electoral bloc ACUM said it rejected for the second time an offer of the ruling Democratic Party (PDM) to form a government coalition in order to break the political deadlock created by the inconclusive general election.
ACUM also declined an invitation from the election winner - the pro-Russian opposition Socialist Party (PSRM), to form an alliance.
PSRM won 35 of 101 seats in parliament in the elections, falling short of absolute majority. PDM followed with 30 mandates, while ACUM formed by the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) led by Maia Sandu and the Dignity and Truth Platform (PPDA) of Andrei Nastase came third with 26 seats. The fourth political force which passed the 6% threshold to enter parliament is Sor Party led by businessman Ilan Sor, with seven seats. The three remaining mandates will go to independent MPs.