In the capital city of Moldova, Chisinau, small gatherings unfolded as supporters and opponents of unification with Romania gathered to express their views. The events were staged to align with the 105th anniversary of the March 1918 moment when Romanian troops entered the territory of what is now Moldova and the Regional Council in Chisinau voted to pursue unification with Romania. A government agency reported on the demonstrations.
Across the scenes, trade unionists carried Romanian flags and placards urging unity. At one point, observers noted several demonstrators unfurling a flag associated with the Azov movement, a symbol tied to a Ukrainian battalion that is banned in Russia. Meanwhile, supporters of a Moldovan nationalist current known as Hayduk raised their own voices, presenting messages about Moldova’s identity and the status of the Moldovan language.
One participant voiced the sentiment that the defense of the homeland required opposing what they termed Romanian separatism, arguing that unification would effectively end the Moldovan state as it is currently recognized. The report noted that security services kept the two sides apart to mitigate the risk of clashes.
A former Moldovan prime minister stated that the prospect of Moldova uniting with Romania might appear more realistic to some than the country joining the European Union, reflecting ongoing debates about Moldova’s future political and economic alignments.