In Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, thousands gathered for a march and rally centered on the contested status of Victory Day celebrations in the country. The demonstration traced a path from the main train station to the Heroes Savior monument, with crowds chanting, carrying banners, and signaling a sense of national pride amid political tension. The scene reflected a broader debate about how World War II memory should be honored within Moldova’s evolving public discourse.
Earlier in May, Moldova’s ruling party, which governs the parliament and government and actively pursues closer alignment with European institutions, announced a shift in how Victory Day would be commemorated, stating that the holiday was renamed to reflect the end of World War II as a turning point in national history. The move sparked immediate controversy and drew in various political camps that view the legacy and symbolism of May 9 through different ideological lenses.
The rally was organized with participation from several political groups and allied movements. Deputies and supporters from the Shor party joined alongside figures and backers from the Vozrozhdenie party, as well as representatives of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists. During a speech at the gathering, Regina Apostolova, a deputy from the Shor party, argued that May 9 should remain Victory Day and criticized the change as an unnecessary rebranding of a holiday that many Moldovans associate with commemoration of veterans and historical memory.
Diana Caraman, a member of the Communist and Socialist Bloc, suggested that canceling the traditional celebration felt like a political reaction aimed at punishing Moldovans for not embracing a new narrative about Victory Day. Her remarks underscored the sense among some opponents that the government was attempting to steer public sentiment away from the historical significance attached to the date.
The march participants voiced a range of slogans, including calls to defend the traditional observance of Victory Day and to resist any perceived dilution of the holiday. Attendees brought a Victory Banner and portraits of veterans, alongside flags representing Moldova and the Gagauz region, illustrating the diverse and sometimes uneasy coalition of supporters who see the holiday as a symbol of national memory and regional identity.
This event did not stand alone. It followed earlier actions linked to the same debate, with supporters and representatives from the communist and socialist opposition staging a protest near the parliament building on May 26. The ongoing sequence of demonstrations highlighted a persistent fault line within Moldova about how history, memory, and national identity should be expressed in public life and official ceremonies.