Moldova’s President Maia Sandu calls early election for July 11

The move by pro-European Union President Maia Sandu seeks to reset the balance of power in the former Soviet republic.

Moldova’s constitutional court has cancelled a state of emergency introduced to stem the coronavirus pandemic, enabling President Maia Sandu to dissolve parliament and call for an early election on July 11. “Through this decision we have paved the way for citizens to be able to choose a new parliament that will serve the interests of the country and the people,” Sandu said after the court’s ruling on Wednesday. The move could help end a tense standoff between the pro-European Union president and a parliament that is dominated by lawmakers aligned with her pro-Russia predecessor, Igor Dodon.