Sandu

This was the second and biggest wave of deportations out of the three that the Soviet Union enacted in Moldova. Between 1941 and 1951 there were three waves of deportations, and historians estimate that the total number of deportees was between 80,000 and 120,000.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said the 2nd European Political Community Summit, held in Chisinau, Moldova on Thursday will promote security and stability in Europe.

"I am in Moldova, representing Greece at the 2nd European Political Community Summit, which is taking place in the shadow of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine," Sakellaropoulou told journalists on arrival.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov held a video conference with the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu. Prime Minister Petkov confirmed Bulgaria's support for the country's European perspective, which he will express at the forthcoming European Council. He welcomed President Sandu's strong commitment to leading Moldova on its European path and on the path of reform.

Indeed, with the exception of PAS, women's rights barely feature in the July 11 parliamentary election. People with disabilities, the LGBT community and Roma fare no better, according to a review of the electoral manifestos of all 23 parties contesting the vote.

Sandu wants to seize the momentum following her presidential win to secure a parliament more aligned with her pro-European outlook. The assembly is currently controlled by Dodon's Socialists and their allies, who have balked at Sandu's two picks for prime minister.

The move was an attempt to undermine Sandu's position, as she wishes to see her country move closer to the EU, not Russia.

Angela Gramada, director of the Experts for Security and Global Affairs Association, ESGA, said Gavrilita's potential election would put PAS in a bind.

"How will they [PAS] support their own prime minister, whom they didn't vote for?" she asked.

And, as a parliamentary republic, the prerogatives of the new president are limited. Without the support of a parliamentary majority, which would then form a pro-European government, Sandu's political agenda will continuously be countered by Dodon and the PSRM.

The leader of the Democratic Party, Vlad Plahotniuc - who left Moldova for an undisclosed destination soon after the Democratic Party-led government under Pavel Filip resigned last Friday - has said he will return as soon as he and his family feel secure.

Voting is underway in Moldova where the two candidates have differing views on the country's future.

For the first time since 1997, the head of state will be elected by voters themselves and not by Parliament.