Nicolae Timofti elected president of Moldova.

Moldovan legislators have elected a new president, ending a political deadlock that had left the country without a full-time head of state since 2009, the Moldovan service of RFE/RL reported.

The president in Moldova is elected by parliament and not by popular vote.

Three lawmakers who were formerly part of the Communist opposition and one independent lawmaker voted on March 16 for Nicolae Timofti, the candidate backed by Moldova's ruling pro-Western alliance, enabling him to secure the required majority.

Timofti was the only candidate running for the post.

The squabbling parties forming the Alliance for European Integration had, until now, been unable to reach a compromise with the group of communist defectors and had failed to get a candidate elected in previous votes.

The country has had acting presidents for the past 900 days.