“Moldovan Pro-Western Government Receives Massive Support in Chisinau Pro-European Rally”

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the Moldovan capital Chisinau to express their support for the policies of the pro-Western government. According to the police, at least 75,000 people were on the move. They carried European and NATO flags and shouted “Europe!”.

The Moldovan government is pursuing a decidedly pro-European stance and has applied for membership of the European Union. But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fears have been raised in the country about Russian attempts to destabilize the country.

President Sandu has accused Russia of spreading propaganda and behind anti-government protests. Moscow denies that. Thousands of people have previously gathered at pro-Russian demonstrations. Russian troops are active in the breakaway region of Transnistria.

“Moldova does not want to be extorted by the Kremlin,” Sandu said at the meeting. “We no longer want to be on the edge of Europe.”

Sandu received support from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola at the meeting organized by her government. “Europe is Moldova and Moldova is Europe,” she told the audience. “Europe is your family and it is your right to decide the fate of your country. You have chosen Europe, and Europe will welcome you with open arms.”

The demonstrators called on Moldovan politicians to amend the constitution and state that the country is oriented towards Europe.

The poorest country in Europe desperately needs Europe’s support. Support that is also increasing. For example, the Netherlands has had a full-fledged embassy in the country since April.

The Moldovan army can hardly defend itself in the event of a Russian attack. The country has 6,500 soldiers and a budget of more than 40 million euros for the army. The budget will increase significantly in the coming years. By comparison, the Netherlands will spend 15.2 billion euros on defense this year.

The leader of the small pro-Russian opposition party Shor, Ilan Shor, addressed his supporters in several cities via video link. He wants a referendum on Moldova’s foreign policy.

Shor could not speak in Moldavia itself. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison last month for a controversial bank robbery, which was discovered at the end of 2014. Then about 900 million euros was stolen from three Moldovan banks.

Shor has lived in his native Israel since 2019 and is on the US sanctions list due to his alleged ties to the Kremlin. The British have also put him on the sanctions list.

Shor’s deputy, Marina Tauber, was also recently arrested by the anti-corruption prosecutor in Moldova. She was detained at the airport as she was about to leave for Israel.