Protests in Chişinău

Thousands take to the streets in Republic of Moldova calling for resignation of government and Parliament and for early elections.

Daniela Budu, 07.12.2020, 13:50

Thousands of people protested on Sunday in Chişinău, the
capital of the Republic of Moldova, against outgoing pro-Russian president Igor
Dodon and the parliamentary majority controlled by the Socialists. The demonstrators
called for the resignation of the government and Parliament, which they accuse
of promoting corruption and embezzling public funds, and for the organisation
of early elections. The protest was called by the pro-Europe president elect
Maia Sandu, joined by the leaders of opposition parliamentary and
non-parliamentary parties. Sandu says early elections are unavoidable and the
shortest way is the resignation of the government, because Moldovan people are
fed up with the corruption and want a better life.

Last week, the Socialist-controlled Parliament passed some
controversial legislation, such as a bill that strips the president of control
over the Intelligence and Security Agency and hands it over to Parliament and
one that gives special status to the Russian language in the Republic of Moldova.
Hundreds of people immediately staged a protest outside the Parliament
building, but Igor Dodon accused his successor of instigating chaos and
organising pointless protests.

In Bucharest, the Romanian foreign ministry has
condemned the laws passed by the Moldovan Parliament and which it says seriously
affect the rule of law and the functioning of the democratic system in the Republic
of Moldova.

Presidential elections were held in this country in
November. The candidates in the final round were the former prime minister Maia
Sandu and the incumbent president Igor Dodon, who ran for a second term. Sandu
won the elections with 57.75% of the votes and will take office on 24th
December for a four-year term. (CM)