Nicolae Timofti finally elected Moldova President Published duration 16 March 2012

image caption Nicolae Timofti advocates European integration

An independent judge, Nicolae Timofti, has been elected president of Moldova in a parliamentary vote, ending nearly three years of political stalemate.

The opposition Communists, who reject the government's goal of integration with the EU, boycotted the vote.

Mr Timofti, 63, heads Moldova's supreme council of magistrates.

The struggling former Soviet republic has had no full-time president since Vladimir Voronin, a Communist, resigned in September 2009.

Mr Timofti secured 62 votes in the 101-seat parliament - one more than the minimum needed.

"Moldova needs a national idea which is supported by the majority of the population and which can unite Moldova's divided society. This idea should be European integration," he said.

"But I will not take part in politics and I want to be a president for all citizens to unite society."

Before Friday's election Moldova had had three acting presidents.

Russian-speaking separatists controlling the breakaway Trans-Dniester region do not recognise the Moldovan government in Chisinau.