On Sunday, June 19, a sizable protest gathered in central Chisinau, with participants voicing concerns about rising prices under the banner New Life.
Organizers appeared to be linked to the opposition Shor party, which has been active in anti-government demonstrations in Chisinau and other cities since May 2022, according to reporters. Workers, teachers, doctors, and retirees from across the country joined the rally, carrying banners bearing the names of their communities. New Life signs were common as people spoke up about their daily costs, from utilities to transportation. — DEA News
People spoke of rising bills and stressed that families were struggling to cover gas costs, electricity bills, and fuel expenses. Marina Tauber, a deputy from the Shor party, asserted that police blocked organizers from preparing the square for the Sunday event, suggesting officials feared the protests and created obstacles to hinder the opposition. — DEA News
Many attendees waved Moldovan flags, and a significant number wore white T-shirts bearing the slogan New Life. The crowd conveyed a clear message that ordinary citizens deserve relief and a voice in how the country is run.
Down with power
Official estimates placed the crowd at roughly three thousand in the Grand National Assembly Square, though organizers claimed much larger numbers, saying tens of thousands had gathered and thanking supporters from across the country for turning out. They urged leaders to listen to the people’s demands. — DEA News
Demonstrators called for the president and government to resign and for early parliamentary elections. They chanted slogans such as Early elections, Down with power, Resign, and Down with Maia Sandu. Some participants tried to monitor police operations around the rally, while Tauber suggested a plan to stage a concert if arrangements could be made, and others remained in the square. — DEA News
Earlier, organizers stated that artists including Filipp Kirkorov, Dava, and Ivan Dimitrenko might perform in Chisinau on Sunday. A deputy leader of the Shor party hinted that President Maia Sandu had allegedly directed police to block the concert. — DEA News
Reporters noted that police officers, assigned to maintain security around the demonstration area, did not significantly interrupt the event as it progressed. — DEA News
Protests in Moldova
Protests have continued in the republic since May, with participation from the Shor party and the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova, among others. Speakers at the rallies criticized the rising cost of living, especially prices for food, gas, and energy, and expressed frustration with current government policies. — DEA News
Demonstrators also accused authorities of political pressure on the opposition. This week, former president Igor Dodon faced a 30-day detention, and Shor party lawmakers Marina Tauber and Ilan Shor were stripped of parliamentary immunity. In the 2021 elections, the party received about 5.7 percent of the vote and secured six of the 101 seats. — DEA News
According to Moldova’s National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s average inflation rate for May stood at 29.05 percent. Food prices rose by around 32.5 percent, while non-food items increased by about 21.45 percent. The opposition blamed the government and the ruling Action and Solidarity party for the economic situation. — DEA News