The ultimatum issued last Sunday by the three protesters’ leaders – the leader of the Platform “Dignity and Truth” Andrei Nastase, chairman of the Party of Socialists Igor Dodon and leader of the “Our Party” Renato Usatyi – expires today, January 28, at 5pm. According to the leaders, there has been no reaction or signal from the authorities so far.
Contacted by IPN, Igor Dodon said there are several action plans that will be put into practice if the authorities do not react, but a decision to this effect hasn’t been yet taken. According to him, the further steps will be decided by the National Salvation Council created last Sunday at a meeting that will be held in the afternoon of January 28.
“So far, we received no reaction or signal from the authorities as regards the declaration adopted at the general assembly of the opposition, in last Sunday’s meeting,” said the Socialists’ leader, noting that if the situation does not change, a number of actions will be taken. “We know what and how, but the decision must be taken in concert.”
Andrei Nastase has told IPN that drastic measures will be taken if protesters’ demands are not taken into account. A civic forum on the issue will be held on January 29. “The forum will involve the Moldovan elite. Together with them, we will take decisions in a different way than the government expects. We will keep our word and will take more drastic measures than until now,” he stated.
A crowd of people headed by the three leaders mounted a protest in the Great National Assembly Square on January 24. They demanded early elections and the dismissal of the Filip Government. Large antigovernment protests started to be staged on January 20, when Parliament voted in a new Cabinet. On the day of the vote, the people forced their way into the Parliament Building. A number of police officers and protesters were injured during the altercations.
