Thousands of Moldovans have rallied in the country’s capital, Chisinau, to demand the resignation of the newly appointed government and early elections.
The protest was organized by two pro-Russian parties and a pro-EU anticorruption movement.
A counter-rally in support of the government, which was also planned for January 24, was canceled to avoid clashes.
Police said about 16,000 protesters braved minus 10 degree Celsius temperatures.
They chanted slogans like, "We want the country back!" and "Unity, citizens!" in Romanian and Russian.
There were no reports of violence.
Public anger toward what many Moldovans consider a deeply corrupt political class has been on the rise since the appointment on January 20 of Pavel Filip as prime minister.
A member of the ruling Democratic Party (PD), Filip is perceived by many to be under the control of a controversial oligarch, Vlad Plahotniuc.
But the United States, the European Union, and Moldova’s closest ally, EU-member Romania, have said they would work with the new government, and urged it to implement pro-EU reforms.
Protesters In Moldova Demand New Government Resign
Updated
Related
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
In Russia's War Economy, The Warning Lights Are Blinking
2Putin Says Russia Fired New Intermediate Missile At Ukraine After ICBM Accusations
3Steps Too Far As Moscow, Washington Cross 'Red Lines' Over Ukraine?
4RFE/RL Reveals Chilling New Details Of Bucha Massacre As Ukraine Marks 1,000 Days Of War
5Dutch Deliver Final 2 F-16 Jets, As Germany, U.S. Set New Ukraine Aid Packages
6Ukraine Live Briefing: Russia To Continue Testing Ballistic Missiles
7The Far-Right Firebrand Too Dangerous To Run For Romania's Presidency
8Report: Senior North Korean General Wounded In Russia
9Danish Military Keeps Watch On Chinese Ship Suspected Of Baltic Cable Sabotage
10Putin Says Russia Will Use New Missile Again In 'Combat Conditions' After Ukraine Strike
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
