Moldova Prime Minister announces resignation

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Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita announced her resignation on Friday after gathering her ministers for a meeting whose agenda was not announced.

A Sputnik correspondent reported that Moldovan ministers urgently gathered Friday for a meeting in the presidential administration without announcing the agenda. The entire parliamentary bloc of the Party of Action and Solidarity participated in the meeting, too.

"After a year and a half at the head of this government, it is time to announce my resignation from this position," Gavrilita told reporters.

According to the premier, the government of Moldova "enjoyed support from international partners" but did not receive similar support from the Moldovan people.

The Moldovan government has been facing public outrage for months now as there is popular dissatisfaction toward the pro-Western government.

The people have been taking to the streets in the thousands to protest the government, with the country witnessing a wave of thousands protesting high inflation and fuel costs outside Moldova's government in the ex-Soviet state's main square in Chisinau, as they demanded pro-Western President Maia Sandu and her government to resign. 

Watch - Protesters in Moldova: No need for NATO

The protesters amounted to around 20,000, although according to the opposition, the count was twice that, with police presence amounting to 6,500.

The demonstration set a record as the largest protest since Sandu was elected to office back in 2020, but little did she know; the numbers would only increase.

Sandu has repeatedly denounced Russia's actions in Ukraine and is pushing for membership in the European Union. Her critics argue that she should have negotiated a better gas agreement with Russia, Moldova's main supplier.  

A month later, in October, more than 90,000 people participated in a protest against Moldova's government, although it was not possible to know the exact number as police cordons separated people into two files, said Sor opposition party Vice President Marina Tauber.

The organizers have demanded permission from the authorities to hold an indefinite protest outside the government house on the Great National Assembly Square. However, since an agricultural fair had been set up at the location, they were advised to move near the parliament. Protesters were preparing for clashes and provocations, the police warned in a statement.

Days later, Moldova's opposition Sor Party organized mass demonstrations in the country's capital of Chisinau, with over 50,000 participants trying to get to the city's center to call for snap parliamentary elections.

The police attempted to prevent protesters from getting to Chisinau's center, according to the organizers, cordoning off the city's central square.

The government in Moldova had repeatedly been accused by the opposition of failing to tackle the economic crisis amid record inflation of 33.5% and deteriorating living standards. Protesters blamed the President for not wanting to negotiate a more reasonable gas price with Russia and for putting political pressure on opponents.

Moreover, a poll conducted in October by Moldovan data analysis company Date Inteligente (iData) found that more than 50% of Moldovans believed their government was leading the country in the wrong direction.

Participants were asked to evaluate the government's course of national development. 55.6% of respondents criticized it, 35.6% supported it, 7.5% were undecided, and 1.3% preferred not to respond.

Numerous polls have shown that a total of 60% of the population in the country doubts the ability of the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity to stay in power for another three years. In addition, roughly 70% of Moldovans appeared to be disappointed with the authorities' policies and almost 65% seemed to be supporting a change of government.

The situation in the country prompted Chinsau to extend the state of emergency in December, which had been decreed as a result of the Ukraine war.

Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita stated at a government meeting that "Unfortunately, there is no doubt that it is necessary to extend the state of emergency. This tool is necessary because we do not have other solutions that could be applied immediately. The decision to extend the state of emergency and submit it to parliament has been approved," 

Initially, the state of emergency was launched on February 24 and was constantly extended afterward. With this new extension, the Commission for Emergency Situations decided to extend the emergency protocol for another 60 days, effective December 6.

Ruling party ready to form new cabinet

The ruling Party of Action and Solidarity in Moldova is ready to ensure the formation of a new government after the resignation of the country's prime minister, Parliament Head Igor Grosu said on Friday in the wake of Gavrilita's resignation.

"The Action and Solidarity party faction supports and will ensure the formation of a new government that will focus on security and economic development," Grosu said on social media.

The official thanked Gavrilita for her dedication and efforts as prime minister.