Moldova’s pro-Western parties said they’ll forge an alliance after winning a narrow lead in parliamentary elections – a stinging setback to Europe’s last communist-run government.

Moldova’s governing pro-Western Communists won a parliamentary majority in national elections, but fell short of taking enough seats to re-elect President Vladimir Voronin, according to near final results released today.

The biggest pro-Kremlin party is set to dominate the Russian legislature after parliamentary elections tightened President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power.