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Protesters storm Moldovan Parliament over missing money

(Vatican Radio)  Tensions are rising in the former Soviet republic of Moldova after angry crowds broke into the Parliament to protest against a new pro-European government. The protests come amid political turmoil over the disappearance of some $1 billion in the impoverished nation.Listen to Stefan Bos' report: The troubles began after thousands of people chanting slogans such as "cancel the vote" and "thieves" gathered outside the Parliament building in Moldova's capital Chisinau. Later, hundreds of them, managed to get through the police barricades and enter the building itself. They are furious that Ravel Filip, from the main pro-European coalition, has been appointed prime minister. The vote was boycotted by opposition parties.The previous government of the former Soviet republic was dismissed by lawmakers in October amid a corruption scandal. And demonstrators here say the new prime minister has close links to one of Moldova's most po...

(Vatican Radio)  Tensions are rising in the former Soviet republic of Moldova after angry crowds broke into the Parliament to protest against a new pro-European government. The protests come amid political turmoil over the disappearance of some $1 billion in the impoverished nation.

Listen to Stefan Bos' report:

The troubles began after thousands of people chanting slogans such as "cancel the vote" and "thieves" gathered outside the Parliament building in Moldova's capital Chisinau. Later, hundreds of them, managed to get through the police barricades and enter the building itself. 

They are furious that Ravel Filip, from the main pro-European coalition, has been appointed prime minister. The vote was boycotted by opposition parties.

The previous government of the former Soviet republic was dismissed by lawmakers in October amid a corruption scandal. And demonstrators here say the new prime minister has close links to one of Moldova's most powerful businessmen Vladimir Plahotniuc. 

Political turmoil

Moldova has faced political turmoil since the disappearance of some $1bn from the banking system in 2014. That's a huge amount especially for Moldova, Europe's poorest nation.

In fact, experts say the missing money, is equivalent to an eighth of the ex-Soviet republic's entire Gross Domestic Product. The scandal also caused a rapid fall in the value of the national currency the leu hitting Moldovans' living standards.

Demonstrators doubt that Prime Minister Filip will be able to end high level corruption.  "We are not satisfied with the members or how this government was formed. They act like bandits, not as members of Parliament," a man said. 

Prime Minister Filip has pledged to form closer ties with the European Union which would include pro-Western reforms. "People don't need a government that says pleasant things but a government that solves their problems," he said.

Yet, his words have so far done little to ease the social and political upheaval in Moldova.

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