Communists will boycott Parliament to protest the governing coalition's decision to hold a referendum to avoid early elections. CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Communists will boycott Parliament to protest the governing coalition's decision to hold a referendum to avoid early elections.

Communists oppose a referendum on changing the constitution. They said late Wednesday they plan to call a referendum to seek a vote of no confidence in the ruling Alliance for European Integration which came to power after July elections.

Leaders want a referendum before June 16 to prevent the dissolution of Parliament, which is now called for after lawmakers failed twice to elect a new president. They will likely propose that the nation's president be elected by popular vote, rather than by lawmakers.

Communists hold 43 out of 101 seats and they plan to start boycotting Thursday.