The Constitutional Court of Moldova reversed a 16-year-old amendment to the constitution that allowed lawmakers to select the head of state. Following the court’s decision on Friday, Moldovans will now be able to choose their leader through direct presidential elections.

"We think that that the president of the republic is to be elected by the nation," Court President Alexandru Tanase said on March 4th, as reported by TASS.

The court made its decision in response to a complaint filed by opposition members who stated that the amendment was in fact a violation of the constitution.

Incumbent President Nicolae Timofti, who was elected in 2012 and completes his term later this month, will stay on as acting president until parliament sets a date for direct presidential elections.

Moldova has witnessed political turmoil since President Vladimir Voronin's second constitutional term expired in 2009.

The country began 2016 without a government after the current Cabinet of Ministers headed by Valery Strelets was dismissed on October 29th, 2015 after being voted out in parliament.

Protests erupted in Chisinau in January when lawmakers voted to approve a new government headed by a new pro-European Prime Minister, Pavel Filip. 

Alexandru Tanase said on March 4th that the decision would help stop the crisis in the country, as reported by Radio Free Europe.

  Moldova, Democracy

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