Moldova* is a republic with a form of parliamentary democracy.
The country has an estimated total population of 3.57 million,
including 528,600 in the secessionist-controlled region of
Transnistria. An estimated 900,000 citizens, including
approximately 250,000 Transnistrians, live outside the country.
The constitution provides for a multiparty government with power
shared by the president, the executive, a unicameral parliament,
and the judiciary; however, in practice, the three branches of
government were heavily influenced by the president.
Parliamentary elections in 2005 generally complied with most
international standards for democratic elections. Communist
Party leader Vladimir Voronin was reelected by parliament in
2005 as president for a second and final term. Civilian
authorities generally maintained effective control of the
security forces. The government generally respected the human
rights of its citizens; however, security forces beat persons in
custody and held persons in incommunicado detention