TIMELINE: Riots erupt against government in Moldova

(Reuters) - Moldova's communist rulers on Wednesday regained control of parliament and government offices from protesters who alleged that a parliamentary election won by the communists was rigged.

Here is a timeline of events since the election:

SUNDAY: April 5 - Exit polls in Moldova's parliamentary election show President Vladimir Voronin's Communists set to win with 46 percent of the vote.

-- It is the new parliament which elects a president. Voronin cannot stand for a third consecutive term.

MONDAY: April 6 - Preliminary official results say the Communists win 50 percent of the vote although it is not clear whether they could gain the 61 seats out of 101 in the assembly needed to choose their own candidate for president.

-- Three opposition parties cross a 6 percent barrier to win representation. Broadly in favor of closer ties with the European Union and free-market policies, the three have said they would not enter a coalition with the Communists.

TUESDAY: April 7 - Around 10,000 demonstrators, denouncing the Communist victory, take control of the president's offices and parliament. One woman dies and about 100 people are hurt.

-- EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana urges protesters to avoid violence, but encourages authorities to let peaceful demonstrations go ahead. Russia says it is concerned by the situation.

-- Three main opposition leaders hold talks with the president and prime minister.

-- Voronin says violent protests against a Communist Party election win amounts to a "coup d'etat" and says opposition leaders had embarked on a "path to the violent seizure of power."

WEDNESDAY: April 8 - Riot police re-take the parliament and presidential buildings and round up 193 opposition protesters.

-- Election officials refuse a request for an election recount, breaking an agreement reached in talks with Voronin, says Vlad Filat, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats.

-- Voronin accuses Romania of involvement in protests that have swept the capital, Chisinau, and says he is expelling the Romanian ambassador.

-- Voronin vows to punish strictly the organizers of the anti-government riots.