Tens of thousands of Moldovans on Sunday rallied in the capital, Chisinau, to support their pro-Western government’s drive toward Europe amid what officials have said are Russian efforts to destabilize the nation.
Moldova has been badly hit by the impact of Moscow’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine, which Chisinau has repeatedly condemned and applied to join the EU.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of seeking to sabotage its European integration by fueling anti-government protests and propaganda. Moscow denies meddling in Moldova’s affairs.
Photo: AFP
“Moldova does not want to be blackmailed by the Kremlin,” Sandu said at the rally, which was organized by her government.
Police said that more than 75,000 demonstrators were present.
“We don’t want to be on the outskirts of Europe anymore,” she said, pledging that Moldova would become an EU member by 2030.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, on a visit to Chisinau, also addressed the rally, saying that Europe would welcome Moldova “with open arms and open hearts.”
“This is about the both of us: You will bring a piece of Moldova to Europe, and you will make Europe stronger,” she said.
Demonstrators called on Moldova’s political leaders to amend the constitution to specifically mention the nation’s European orientation.
“I believe in a European Moldova and want for my country a future with advanced economic and sociopolitical development,” 18-year-old attendee Alexandrina Miron said. “Right now we are a little behind, but we will slowly catch up and stand on a par with Europe.”
The leader of the pro-Russian opposition Shor party, exiled businessman Ilan Shor, told his supporters at rival protests in several cities via videoconference that he would seek a referendum on Moldova’s foreign policy.
Shor, sanctioned by the US as an agent of Russian influence in Moldova, was handed a 15-year jail sentence in absentia last month for his role in the 2014 theft of US$1 billion from Moldovan banks.
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