Demonstrators demand new elections in Moldova

Demonstrators in Chișinău stormed Moldova's parliament on Wednesday, demanding new elections. On Thursday too, thousands protested against the designated pro-EU government led by Pavel Filip. Romania's press discusses what new elections would mean for Moldova.

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Jurnalul National (RO) /

Citizens voicing their anger

The protests are simply a vent for public anger and have little to do with whether Moldova aligns with the EU or Russia, the daily Jurnalul National believes:

“What is happening beyond the [border river] Pruth has less to do with pro- or anti-European sentiment than with a general aversion, regardless of whether the people are pro-Russian, pro-European or somewhere in the middle. Once it gets out of control this anger could easily turn into a Moldovan Maidan. After the 'theft of the century' - the disappearance of around a billion euros from Moldova's banks - the people have simply had enough of this inefficient, corrupt and feckless class that is forever shirking its responsibilities and filling its own pockets by clinging to the status quo.”

Hotnews (RO) /

Will Chișinău leave Europe's orbit?

For news website Hotnews there is no doubt that pro-Russian parties would win new elections:

“In view of the general disgruntlement with the self-proclaimed pro-European parties that have governed the country in recent years, and in view of the huge bank scandal and the dramatic decrease in living standards, support for these parties has plummeted. Polls show that in the event of new elections the [pro-Russian] politicians Renato Usatîi and Igor Dodon would win. Together and with the help of Vladimir Voronin's communists they could take the country out of Europe's orbit and steer it towards the Eurasian Union. … What happens next in the country is important not only for its citizens. It is also part of the game of chess between Russia and the West.”

Ziare (RO) /

Pro-European forces need more time

It's not too late to prevent a victory for the pro-Russian forces, the conservative MEP Monica Macovei explains on the news portal Ziare:

“Many people want new elections. They want other parties and a new parliament to be in charge. But holding new elections now would mean that the new parties had no time to prepare. The only ones who would benefit would be the socialist and communist parties - regardless of what they're called - which are closer to Russia than they are to Europe. ... The solution would be for the truly European powers to unite and reduce [prime minister designate] Pavel Filip's time in office to a minimum. All it would take is just a couple of months for new political forces to emerge that the people would support, and that could run for office as well.”