Thousands march against government in Moldova
Thousands of people have attended a rally in the Moldovan capital to protest against the approval of a pro-European government by the country’s legislature.
The mass protest was held outside government offices and parliament in Chisinau on Thursday, one day after Prime Minister Pavel Filip presented his Cabinet of politicians and specialists to President Nicolae Timofti.
The demonstrators blocked a main entry in the capital, shouting, “Down with the government! We are the people!” and “Early elections!”
The march was, however, mostly peaceful unlike the one held a day earlier that saw fierce clashes between the protesters and the police. At least 15 people, including nine police officers, were injured after people stormed the parliament on Wednesday.
Since the last parliamentary elections in November 2014, Moldova has been facing a deepening social divide between the pro-Europeans and the pro-Russians. Analysts say the rise of the pro-Europeans in 2009 has led to a corrupt ruling class and a drop in living standards in the impoverished East European nation. The average monthly salary for many in the country of four million is just 220 euros ($240).
Protesters also censured the government’s continued move to join the European Union, saying it has failed to carry out reforms and tackle corruption.
The controversial parliamentary vote on Wednesday ended a three-month standoff with President Timofti, who had warned of dissolution of parliament if a new government is not approved by January 29.
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