An independent judge, Nicolae Timofti, has been elected president of Moldova in a parliamentary vote, ending nearly three years of political stalemate, according to BBC.
The opposition Communists, who reject the government`s goal of integration with the EU, boycotted the vote.
Mr Timofti, 63, heads Moldova`s supreme council of magistrates.
The struggling former Soviet republic has had no full-time president since Vladimir Voronin, a Communist, resigned in September 2009.
Mr Timofti secured 62 votes in the 101-seat parliament - one more than the minimum needed.
"Moldova needs a national idea which is supported by the majority of the population and which can unite Moldova`s divided society. This idea should be European integration," he said.
"But I will not take part in politics and I want to be a president for all citizens to unite society."
Before Friday`s election Moldova had had three acting presidents.
Russian-speaking separatists controlling the breakaway Trans-Dniester region do not recognise the Moldovan government in Chisinau.
