MOLDOVA-ELECTIONS/MOSCOW VOTE Thousands of Moldovans gather outside their embassy in Moscow to vote
Record ID:
328386
MOLDOVA-ELECTIONS/MOSCOW VOTE Thousands of Moldovans gather outside their embassy in Moscow to vote
- Title: MOLDOVA-ELECTIONS/MOSCOW VOTE Thousands of Moldovans gather outside their embassy in Moscow to vote
- Date: 30th November 2014
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (NOVEMBER 30, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MOLDOVA CITIZENS OUTSIDE MOLDOVAN EMBASSY RIOT POLICE ARRIVING MOLDOVAN FLAG ON EMBASSY BUILDING POLICE STANDING ALONG QUEUE OF MOLDOVANS WAITING TO CAST BALLOT (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOLDOVA CITIZEN, SOFIA, SAYING: "No one is against the European Union, but I think that EU won't do us any good, simply a war will begin like in Ukraine. People will be killing each other, destroying each other. But we don't need this war." POLICE CARRYING METAL BARRIERS AS MOLDOVANS QUEUING OUTSIDE EMBASSY RENATO USATII, LEADER OF MOLDOVAN PARTY "PATRIA" INSIDE CROWD OUTSIDE EMBASSY / PEOPLE FILMING HIM WITH MOBILE PHONES (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOLDOVA CITIZEN, ANDREI, SAYING: "It was specially arranged by Chisinau (authorities) so that people will not be let in to vote. I don't know why (the authorities in Chisinau did it) I think because they want to be with Europe, that's why." MOLDOVANS ON STREET NEXT TO EMBASSY MOLDOVANS ON STREET NEAR EMBASSY HOLDING RUSSIAN FLAG MOLDOVANS ON STREET NEAR EMBASSY / RIOT POLICE IN BACKGROUND
- Embargoed: 15th December 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA2R3O4JCUTMHBY6MK5JMFSL0T1
- Story Text: Thousands of Moldova citizens gathered outside their embassy in central Moscow to vote in a parliamentary elections, which would determine Moldova's choice between Russia and EU.
The voting quickly became a pro-Russian demonstration, with participants expressing strong pro-Russian views and saying that EU integration will not do any good to their country.
"No one is against the European Union, but I think that EU won't do us any good, simply a war will begin like in Ukraine. People will be killing each other, destroying each other. But we don't need this war," Moldova citizen Sofia told Reuters outside the embassy.
Many of those who came to vote blame the authorities in Chisinau for bad organisation of the voting procedures at the embassy.
"It was specially arranged by Chisinau (authorities) so that people will not be let in to vote.I don't know why (the authorities in Chisinau did it) I think because they want to be with Europe, that's why," said Andrei from Moldova.
Riot police arrived to keep the crowd under control. Some Moldovans were holding Russian flags and chanting "Russia, Russia".
A millionaire dark horse candidate Renato Usatii, who announced on Friday he fled to Russia fearing arrest after his party was excluded from the vote, also arrived at the embassy. He was warmly greeted by the crowd. Usatii, Moldovan politician, has a business in Russia and was little known in his native Moldova before becoming the head of a party called Patria (Motherland) in October.
On Thursday, a court ruled to bar Patria from the polls, citing a number of violations, including receipt of 8,156,000 Moldovan lei ($453,000) from abroad to help fund its campaign.
Opinion polls indicated Usatii's party could have received between 8 and 14 percent percent in the election thanks to the support of those disenchanted with the ruling centre-right coalition and deep nostalgia for Soviet-era stability. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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