Supporters and representatives of the opposition Shor party during a protest near the government building in Chisinau, MoldovaCHISINAU, 9 Oct.The demands of the protesting residents of Moldova, who insist on receiving financial assistance and compensation for rising gas and electricity tariffs, must be met within seven days, otherwise the authorities face resignation, said Ilan Shor, leader of the Shor opposition party. Parliament, where an indefinite protest has been taking place since September 18. Protesters with Moldovan flags in their hands are chanting: «Down with Maia Sandu!», «Down with the government», «Resignation», «Early elections». Along with ordinary residents of the country, MPs from the Shor party take part in the protest action. Traffic in the perimeters of the streets where the country's parliament and the presidential palace are located is blocked. The participants adopted a resolution in which they demanded that the authorities compensate for the increase in gas and electricity tariffs, as well as provide financial assistance to vulnerable segments of the population.The Shor party demanded the resignation of the head of the Moldavian Foreign Ministry»If the authorities do not accept our demands, then we reserve the right to take all measures to achieve their resignation, we give the authorities seven days to fulfill our demands. And so that they understand that we are not joking and that our intentions are quite serious, I propose to set up tents on the main street of our country,» Shor, who participates in the protest remotely via video broadcast, said. He called on everyone to come to the central square of Moldova next Sunday to check how the authorities will fulfill the demands of the people. The protesters are outraged by the unprecedented increase in prices for gas, other energy resources and food, as well as high inflation and falling living standards. The protesters accuse the authorities of failing to cope with the crisis, point to a record inflation over the past 20 years, which in mid-summer amounted to 33.5% on an annualized basis. The country's leadership is criticized for its unwillingness to negotiate better gas prices with Russia, as well as for political pressure on opposition representatives. Numerous polls show that about 60% of the country's population doubt the ability of the ruling Action and Solidarity party to stay in power for another three years before the next parliamentary elections. Also, about 70% of the inhabitants of Moldova are disappointed with the policy of the authorities and almost 65% support the idea of changing the government. in Chisinau
