CHISINAU -- Thousands of people have rallied in Moldova's capital to protest against the Democratic Party-led government.
The August 26 rally was the latest in a series of protests against the government, protests that have been driven in large part by Romanians and Moldovans living out of the county.
Participants are angered by the policies of the government led by the Democratic Party, which is headed by controversial billionaire Vladimir Plahotniuc. Popular anger has also been stoked by recent court decisions that annulled the results of the mayoral election in Chisinau.
Waving Moldovan and Euopean Union flags, they chanted slogans such as "Down With The Mafia" and "Send Plahotniuc To Jail."
The demonstration was organized by the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, the Dignity and Truth Platform, and Liberal Democrat Party in Moldova.
Two other gatherings were also scheduled to be held on the central square, including a rally by drivers demanding lower fuel prices.
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Moldovan Expats Protest Against Government In Chisinau
Speaking at the antigovernment demonstration, protest leader Maia Sandu called on opposition supporters to separate themselves from the two other rallies, which she said were organized to disrupt the protest.
Supporters of Ilan Shor, the mayor of the eastern town of Orhei, also came to the central square to attend a concert.
At a similar protest in Brussels, around two dozen activists gathered outside the headquarters of the European Commission, criticizing the Chisinau mayoral election decision and other recent electoral changes.
Several waved Romanian and Moldova flags and held a banner reading “Do Not Support Corrupt Oligarchs In Moldova.”