Moldova went nearly three years without a president

This also occurred less than a decade ago. Moldova was in a political stalemate from 2009 to 2012, with competing parties unable to reach an agreement with a number of Communist defectors. After nearly three years of political gridlock, Moldovans chose veteran judge Nicolae Timofti as president in 2012, marking the first time the country had a leader in 917 days.

Actually, Nicolae Timofti was eventually elected president, although not by popular vote. Maia Sandu, Moldova's first-ever female president, was elected in 2020.