Moldova banking scandal fuels biggest protest ever

Thousands of people in Moldova protested on 6 September 2015 in the country's capital city Chisinau demanding the resignation of the Moldovan president Nicolae Timofti and early elections, following a $1 billion bank fraud which reportedly hit living standards.

Protests had been taking place since spring 2015, when the bank fraud was first discovered. In July, Valeriu Strelet got the approval of the parliament to become the new prime minister, following the resignation of Chiril Gaburici.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: Spring again in the Republic of Moldova – mass protest against corruption http://www.europeansources.info/record/spring-again-in-the-republic-of-moldova-mass-protest-against-corruption/

BBC News, 07.09.15: Moldova protest camp in Chisinau over $1bn bank fraud http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34174028

The Guardian, 06.09.15: Moldova protesters take to streets criticising 'mafia' government http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/06/moldova-protesters-take-to-streets-criticising-mafia-government

The Moscow Times, 07.09.15: Protesters Vow 'Non-Stop' Action in Moldova Over Banking Fraud http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/protesters-vow-non-stop-action-in-moldova-over-banking-fraud/529580.html

Deutsche Welle, 07.09.15: Anger over 'fraud of the century' in Moldova http://dw.com/p/1GSEA

Euronews, 06.09.15: Moldovans protest over banking scandal in a rare show of defiance http://www.euronews.com/2015/09/06/moldovans-protest-over-banking-scandal-in-a-rare-show-of-defiance/

The Wall Street Journal, 06.09.15: Moldovans Demand Investigation Into Missing Money http://www.wsj.com/articles/moldovans-demand-investigation-into-missing-money-1441573042

Sputnik International, 07.09.15: Hundreds of Anti-Government Protesters Rally in Moldovan Capital http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150907/1026710125.html

BBC News, 13.09.15: Thousands join Moldova anti-government protest http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34240239

EurActiv, 23.09.15: Former PM: Early elections would be ‘a catastrophe’ for Moldova http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/former-pm-early-elections-would-be-catastrophe-moldova-317887

Politico, 01.10.15: Moldova’s Maidan http://www.politico.eu/article/moldovas-maidan/

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