August 27 (SeeNews) - Several thousand gathered in Moldova's capital Chisinau on Sunday in an anti-government protest organised by leaders of pro-EU opposition parties with demands that the results of the recent election for a mayor of the capital city be declared valid and a proportional election system reintroduced, local media reported.
In a parallel rally, another several thousand voiced their support for the Republican Socio-Political Movement for Equality (Shor Party), led by businessman and mayor of Orhei, Ilan Shor, TV station Realitatea.md reported. Shor is currently under investigation for his alleged role in the disappearance of $1 billion from three Moldovan banks in 2014.
According to a press release from the state police, there were some 6,500 people at the protest organised by the opposition parties Dignity and Truth Platform Party (PPDA), Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), and the Liberal Democratic Party (PDLM), and some 5,000 people at the Shor protest.
Footage from Realitatea.md and from social media showed that the anti-government protesters were dispersed by the riot police on Monday morning. However, they regrouped in rallies which are ongoing at the moment in the centre of the capital.
In July, some 7,000 of people protested in Chisinau after the country's top court cancelled the election victory of PPDA pro-European candidate and leader Andrei Nastase for the post of city mayor.
The largest political force in Moldova's parliament elected in 2014 is the Democratic Party (PD) with 41 of 101 seats.
The Socialist Party (PSRM) is the second biggest force in parliament with 24 seats, followed by the Liberal Party (PLD) and European Popular Parliamentary Group with nine seats each. Then, the Communist Party has six MPs, Liberal Democratic Part (PLDM) has five seats, and independent MPs have six seats. One seat is vacant.