Moldova exit poll puts Communists in lead

CHISINAU - An exit poll in Moldova's parliamentary election shows the Communists, former allies of Moscow now committed to European integration, in the lead and on course to keep their majority.

Sunday's poll, funded by two independent television channels and based on preliminary data from 225 polling stations, gave the Communists 42 per cent to 28 per cent for the centrist Democratic Molodva Bloc, which seeks good ties with Moscow and the West.

The pro-Romanian Christian Democrats were third with 14 per cent.

Parliament elects the president in ex-Soviet Moldova and a majority would make Communist President Vladimir Voronin a heavy favourite to keep his job.

- REUTERS