UPDATE 1 - Moldova's Acting President Vladimir Voronin To Resign Next Week - Reuters

"Voronin said he would tender his resignation next week as it is impossible to be both president and a member of parliament," Reuters quoted a source at the Communist Party, who asked not to be identified, as saying.

Under the Moldovan constitution, the functions of Voronin will go to Parliament Speaker Mihai Ghimpu who was elected last month. Russian news agency Interfax reported on Wednesday that a decision for Voronin's resignation will be taken after the Constitutional Court decides on an appeal against the election of Ghimpu filed by the Communist Party.

The pro-West coalition in the Moldovan parliament elected Ghimpu as parliament speaker on Augut 28 after Communists asked for a suspension of the session until September 4 and left the chamber.

Voronin, who is Communist Party leader, is barred by the constitution from seeking a third four-year term of office after occupying the top position since 2001.

Communists control 48 of the 101 seats in parliament after the July 29 snap elections.

The other four pro-West opposition parties, which entered the chamber, together control 53 seats. The Liberal Party, PL, the Democratic Party, PDM, the Liberal Democratic Party, PLDM, and Our Moldova" Alliance, AMN, created a government coalition in August. The four parties have enough votes to form a government of their own but are short of the 61-seat majority needed to elect the new head of state who will nominate the prime minister.