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Ex-Moldovan president urges opposition to conduct mass protests, calls for change of power

The Ex-Moldovan leader was detained last week and is accused of profiteering, corruption, illicit fundraising for his party in addition to high treason

CHISINAU, June 8. /TASS/. Moldova’s former President Igor Dodon has urged the opposition to conduct mass protests and has called for a change of power held by the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS).

"I am urging all opposition forces regardless of their ideological and geopolitical leanings to communicate with citizens and explain to them all the risks and how [President] Maia Sandu and the PAS have betrayed the people’s national interests. I think that every <...> party should morally mobilize its supporters to be ready to go out [and rally] at any moment. <...> Sooner or later, I will also join the rebelling citizens and inevitable protests," Dodon, who is under house arrest, wrote on his Telegram channel on Wednesday.

He held the government responsible for the dramatic price hikes in Moldova, which even the current authorities call one of Europe’s poorest countries. According to Dodon, the republic's social, economic, and energy security is seriously being jeopardized. He noted that gas prices quadrupled, fuel prices almost doubled, and costs for socially significant foodstuffs have skyrocketed.

Since May, Moldova has seen isolated anti-government protests where the opposition has expressed dissatisfaction with the current authorities. The rallies are organized by the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova, the Sor Party as well as by community activists. The protesters demand the resignation of Natalia Gavrilita’s government due over mounting inflation which in April surpassed 27% annually as well as over the downturn in many spheres.

The Ex-Moldovan leader was detained last week and is accused of profiteering, corruption, illicit fundraising for his party in addition to high treason. Dodon told journalists that he has proof of his innocence. He thinks that the charges against him were politically motivated in order to weaken the PSRM, the largest opposition party that he had headed. Dodon told journalists that Sandu and US diplomats were behind his arrest and allegedly exerted influence on prosecutors.

After the PSRM lost the 2021 election, Dodon stepped down as the party’s leader to chair the Moldovan-Russian Union of Business.

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