You're reading: About 400 Communists in postelection protest in Moldova

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — About 400 Communist Party supporters in Moldova protested Thursday against alleged election irregularities, calling for the resignation of the country's pro-European governing coalition.

Protesters gathered outside Moldova’s Parliament, calling for the government and the country’s interim president to step down.

International election observers said June 5 local elections were free and fair.

Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca of the Pro-European Liberal Party called for a recount of city council votes, saying there were a large number of invalid ballots.

The Communists won 26 of the 51 seats in the city council.

The pro-European governing alliance was 300 votes short of a majority.

During the protest outside Parliament, Communist lawmakers accused the government and election authorities of fraud, especially in the capital where there will be a runoff for mayor on June 19.

Communist candidate Igor Dodon won about 48 percent in the ballot and Chirtoaca scored around 46 percent.

Overall, the alliance won about 57 percent of the vote in local councils, while the Communists took nearly 33 percent of the votes — more than any other single party.

But the former Soviet republic of 4.1 million has remained mired in political deadlock.

Parliament still needs to vote for a president, and the alliance is two votes short of the 61 it needs to secure the position.

The Communists, who hold 42 seats, say they will vote against the alliance’s choice.