Moldovan parliament votes to fire top judge amid political standoff

Moldovan lawmakers voted on Friday to sack the head of the constitutional court after the tribunal backed the president's call for a snap election - a move likely to prolong and complicate a high-level political standoff. The non-binding vote marked a fresh twist in the confrontation between President Maia Sandu, who came to office in November on a pro-EU ticket, and a parliament still dominated by lawmakers aligned with her pro-Russian predecessor.

Moldovan lawmakers voted on Friday to sack the head of the constitutional court after the tribunal backed the president's call for a snap election - a move likely to prolong and complicate a high-level political standoff.

The non-binding vote marked a fresh twist in the confrontation between President Maia Sandu, who came to office in November on a pro-EU ticket, and a parliament still dominated by lawmakers aligned with her pro-Russian predecessor. Sandu has been pushing for an election, saying it is needed to get more of her supporters into parliament so she can fight corruption and overcome what she calls obstruction by the existing assembly.

The president notched up a victory in April when the constitutional court made a ruling allowing a snap election. Parliament voted on Friday to remove the head of that court, Domnica Manole, from office, as Sandu's supporters protested outside. The vote was non-binding - the court itself would have to agree to remove the judge.

The U.S. embassy in Moldova said its ambassador issued a statement calling the vote an "unconstitutional attempt to subvert the Constitutional Court". "Respect for rule of law, and an independent judiciary, are cornerstones of democracy. Moldova should not return to a climate of fear and intimidation," it said, adding that U.S. ambassador Derek Hogan met President Sandu on Friday.

Vasile Bolea, a lawmaker from the Socialist party led by Sandu's predecessor Igor Dodon, accused Manole and two other judges of taking "arbitrary and unconstitutional actions". Manole made no immediate comment on parliament's decision. Sandu also did not comment but called a security council meeting on Friday evening. (Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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