-- [12:05] Mihai Ghimpu, the leader of the PL: "The Liberal Party will not try to convince the PCRM to vote during the 30 days before the second round. If they don't want to, they may not vote. The AEI has clear legal mechanisms whereby to elect the head of state. You will find out about them soon.” [11:58]The ballot box and polling booths have been removed. A report is to be read in the assembly hall. [11:53] Serafim Urecheanu, the leader of the AMN : "Vladimir Voronin's presence shows that he came to 'guard' the members of his party so that they do not take part in the vote. I'm sure they will vote in the next round of the presidential elections.” [11:42] Only 53 MPs of the AEI took part in the vote. [11:30] Members of the special commission for the election of the head of state set up two polling booths and placed a ballot box in the hall of the Parliament of the Republic. After the break, the MPs are invited back to the hall. [11:24] Prime Minister and Liberal-Democratic MP Vlad Filat said that if a new round of presidential elections is held within 30 days, the AEI will have enough time to discuss certain considerations and proposals with the PCRM so that Marian Lupu be elected as head of state. [11:19] Dumitru Diacov, the president of honor of the PDM: "I think that the PCRM committed a big mistake by refusing to vote in favor of Marian Lupu. The Communists can change the serious situation in Moldova with their 48 seats.” [11:08] The Parliament announced a 15-minute break to prepare the hall for the vote. [11:03] Oleg Serebrian: “Why didn't the Communist MPs propose their own candidate? The only real reason for not voting for Marian Lupu is the PCRM's unwillingness to act in the Opposition for four years. [11:00] Oleg Serebrian, of the PD: “The Communist MP's gesture is more than defiance and lack of common sense. On April 4, 2005, the Democratic MPs voted for a Communist President. Before voting, we discussed the performance of the Tralev Government (...). None of the 26 conditions imposed by the Democratic parties that voted then was fulfilled. [10:56] Leonid Bujor: "I call on the Communist MPs to come to the assembly hall and vote." [10:55] Leonid Bujor, of the AMN: "We will vote for Marian Lupu as President as he has the abilities needed to hold this post." [10:51] The head of the parliamentary group of the PLDM Mihai Godea and the PL member Ion Hadarca said the Liberal-Democratic and Liberal MPs support Marian Lupu. [10:46] The entire Communist faction walks out of the assembly hall. [10:45] Maria Postoico: “The fact that only one candidate was proposed for head of state points to the wish to establish right-wing dictatorship in Moldova. The parliamentary group of the PCRM will not participate in this anti-democratic farce and will not vote in favor of the Alliance's candidate." [10:43] Maria Postoico: "The AEI's government is anti-democratic and anti-European. The PCRM repeatedly suggested forming a center-left coalition so as to bring social and political stability in Moldova." [10:41] Maria Postoico: "The confusion of the legislative power with the executive one, the continuous infringement of the MPs' right to free expression confirms that the state power has been usurped.” [10:40] Maria Postoico, the head of the PCRM faction, criticized the AEI from the rostrum. “The four parties that formed the so-called Alliance have shown only irresponsibility.” [10:37] The MPs do not have questions for the candidate. [10:36] M.L.: "Dear colleagues from the AEI and from the parliamentary group of the PCRM, I have never thrown the glove (...) That's why I invite you to vote as you consider right. I thank you for participating in today's sitting. Let Moldova see only light.” [10:29] M.L.: "Special attention will be paid to the Transnistrian conflict. It is time that we renounce phobias and prejudices. We must now destroy the wall of distrust that separates us and build bridges of trust. I will get involved in the negotiation process in the 5+2 format.” [10:25] M.L.: "As head of state and as an economist, I will work out strategic measures to boost the economic progress of the country.” [10:23] M.L.: "I intend to initiate a number of social projects under the aegis of the President of Moldova.” [10:20] Marian Lupu: "We need cooperation, not separation. The unity is the basis of our statehood.” [10:19] Marian Lupu: "As a head of state, I will work under the banner of progress. When I say progress, I mean all the aspects of the political, economic, social and cultural life.” [10:17] Marian Lupu: "The head of state is obliged to represent the interests of all the sections of the population. There is no division between “yours'” and “ours” for the President.”. [10:15] Marian Lupu: The saddest thing is that the population's distrust in the state institutions increases (...). We must restore the trust. Now we can choose between the risk of facing a chaos and the election of the head of state, which can prevent the political crisis that can become chronic. [10:13] Marian Lupu, the Alliance for European Integration's candidate for the presidency, addressed those attending from the Parliament's rostrum. "I am honored. I thank all those who have supported and trusted me.” 10:11 The parliamentary majority voted to start the election process. The parliamentary group of the PCRM did not vote. [10:06] Ion Plesca, the head of the special commission for the election of the head of state, red the commission's report on the preparation for today's vote. [10:04] Ninety-eight MPs of the 101 are attending the meeting. The Communist MPs Vladimir Eremciuc, Oxana Dominti and Inna Supac are absent. [10:02] The first round of the presidential elections takes place today in the Parliament. Only the leader of the Democratic Party Marian Lupu, who was fielded by the AEI, runs as a candidate in the elections. Before the sitting of the Parliament, the parliamentary majority, the Alliance for European Integration, held a meeting. The Communist MPs on Monday evening made public a statement of the PCRM's Central Committee, announcing that they will not take part in the elections and that they will make a statement in the Parliament.