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Thousands take part in May 1 demonstrations in Chisinau

Thousands took part in demonstrations of the Trade Union Confederation and the opposition Party of Communists in Chisinau

CHISINAU, May 1 (Itar-Tass) —— Thousands took part in demonstrations of the Trade Union Confederation and the opposition Party of Communists in Chisinau, Moldova, on May 1.

Trade union members gathered on the Chisinau central square to demand worthy working conditions, more jobs and higher salaries and pensions form the government.

“The country is past the period of economic instability. We should stick together for making our economy healthy and based on principles rather than political speculations,” Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat told the rally.

In turn, the Communists demanded the resignation of the government and an early parliamentary election. They accused trade unions of a conspiracy with the authorities aimed to keep them off the city center.

“We did not know until now that trade unions and the authorities were together – they used their rights to impede us. We have the sole demand – an early democratic parliamentary election,” Party of Communists leader, ex-Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin told the rally. The ruling liberal coalition “has flagrantly breached laws and usurped power,” he said.

Voronin said he was indignant at the closure of the opposition channel and the breach of the freedom of speech. He also accused the authorities of hampering an opposition referendum on early elections.

The biggest party in Moldova, the Party of Communists, controls 39 out of 101 parliament seats and boycotts parliament meetings insisting on the early election. The Communists deny recognition to the incumbent parliament and President Nicolae Timofti elected in March 2012.