Thousands of people have demonstrated against the government in Chisinau, demanding fresh elections and better living conditions in Moldova.
The protest comes ahead of a spring referendum planned by the government in a bid to change Moldova's constitution, making it easier to elect the president.
According to the existing constitution, parliament elects the president with 61 votes -- a majority that the governing Alliance for European Integration does not currently command in parliament.
The protest was organized by the Committee for the Defense of the Constitution, a group comprised of several extra-parliamentary opposition parties.
The Communist Party, the largest opposition force in parliament, did not take part in the January 22 rally.
But its leader, Vladimir Voronin, announced a series of upcoming nationwide protests.
Photos of the protests from RFE/RL's Moldova Service
The protest comes ahead of a spring referendum planned by the government in a bid to change Moldova's constitution, making it easier to elect the president.
According to the existing constitution, parliament elects the president with 61 votes -- a majority that the governing Alliance for European Integration does not currently command in parliament.
The protest was organized by the Committee for the Defense of the Constitution, a group comprised of several extra-parliamentary opposition parties.
The Communist Party, the largest opposition force in parliament, did not take part in the January 22 rally.
But its leader, Vladimir Voronin, announced a series of upcoming nationwide protests.
Photos of the protests from RFE/RL's Moldova Service
