Moldovan parliament ousts speaker, a rival of ex-PM, in latest sign of ruling alliance rift

CHISINAU, Moldova – Moldovan lawmakers have dismissed the speaker of parliament, an apparent sign of a rift in the ruling alliance.

Thursday's vote, which earned 79 out of 101 votes, follows a court ruling barring ex-Prime Minister Vlad Filat from standing again for that post. The speaker, Marian Lupu, is a rival of Filat's within the ruling alliance.

Communist lawmaker Artur Resetnicov accused Lupu of undermining democracy, while others hurled vague allegations of corruption.

On Monday, the Constitutional Court barred Filat, who lost the premiership in a March 5 confidence motion, from standing again as prime minister, citing unspecified corruption claims. Analysts say the vote against his rival Lupu probably was a reaction to the ruling.

Filat is opposed by parties seeking closer ties to Moscow, while Lupu is more amenable to Russia.