The vote failed Tuesday after just 53 lawmakers voted. To be elected, a candidate needs 61 votes out of a total of 101. A pro-European coalition that won most votes in July 29 elections has 53 seats, with the rest controlled by the Communists.

The coalition's candidate, Marian Lupu, who quit the Communist party earlier this year, urged Communist legislators to vote for him to "demolish the wall of mistrust and build bridges of dialogue."

Parliament has 30 days to elect a new president.

If the new attempt fails, Parliament will be dissolved. New elections cannot be held earlier than August because the legislature was dissolved in June.