Moldova: Thousands of activists protesting in Great National Assembly Square, Chisinau, Dec. 6

Event

Supporters of Maia Sandu, the president-elect of Moldova, are protesting in the Great National Assembly Square Dec. 6. The purpose of the action is to demand early parliamentary elections following the Moldovan parliament's Dec. 3 decision to move control of intelligence services from the president to parliament following Sandu's electoral victory. Attendance is reportedly in the thousands.

Additional security services are deployed to monitor the action. Large crowds and related security measures are likely to prompt localized transport disruptions in the protest area. Current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures in Moldova restrict public gatherings; police may attempt to disperse the protest if participants are deemed to be breaching these restrictions. A previous protest over the same issue passed off peacefully, though isolated clashes between police and protesters cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check for disruptions and allow extra time for travel in the protest area the afternoon of Dec. 6.