December 7 (SeeNews) - Thousands of Moldovans rallied in the capital Chisinau on Sunday to call for early general elections in a protest action against the Socialist government organized by pro-European European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) controlled by president-elect Maia Sandu.
Over 50,000 people protested against legislative changes restricting presidential powers that had been approved with the votes of the biggest force in parliament, the Socialist Party (PSRM), and its informal government coalition partner, Sor Party, according to information posted on the social media page of PAS on Sunday.
PSRM is controlled by former pro-Russian president Igor Dodon, who lost presidential elections on November 15 to Maia Sandu.
"An early election is inevitable and the fastest way to achieve this is through the resignation of this government," Maia Sandu said on Sunday, during the protest rally.
The bill that sparked the strongest discontent among protesters strips Maia Sandu of control of Moldova's intelligence service, SIS. On Thursday, 51 members of the 101-seat parliament voted in favour of the bill. Soon after, 5,000 people gathered in Chisinau to protest against the new legislation.
In a televised statement on Wednesday evening, Sandu said that without control of SIS, the president will not have the necessary levers to investigate high-level corruption cases and called on Moldovans to protest against the bill.
PSRM holds 37 of all 101 seats in Moldova's parliament, while Sor Party, led by businessman Ilan Sor, controls 9. The two parties have formed an informal coalition and are negotiating to establish an official one, according to local media reports.
PAS holds 15 seats, while pro-EU Dignity and Truth Party (PDPDA) controls 11 seats. Democrat Party of Moldova holds 11 seats, Pro-Moldova has 3 seats, while the remaining 15 mandates are held by independent MPs.