(London Post) A new, pro-EU prime minister has been selected by the eastern European country’s parliament. The choice has drawn the ire of many in the country, especially those who support stronger ties with Russia.
Pavel Filip, the new prime minister, announced the members of his cabinet in the hallway, as angry opponents blocked his path to the central podium.
Scenes of chaos in the Parliament building were shared across social media.
Deep divisions
Pro-Russia Socialists are deeply opposed to Filip, who’s more oriented toward the West. They’ve denounced the Parliament’s vote as illegitimate and called for new elections.
Moldova signed an association agreement with the EU in 2014, the same year fighting broke out in the Ukraine between pro-government and pro-Russia forces over a similar deal.
Parliament had faced months of deadlock and needed to form a new government before the end of January, or face dissolution.
blc/kms (AP, dpa)