Violent Protests Erupt in Moldova

A protest in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, turned violent on Tuesday as anti-Communist demonstrators broke into the headquarters of the country’s parliament and the police attempted to disperse them with tear gas and water cannon. Dozens of people were reported injured.

The crowd gathered to protest the results of parliamentary elections held on Sunday. Communists won about half the votes. Opposition leaders on Tuesday accused the Communists of rigging the election and demanded a recount.

Demonstrators gathered in the center of Chisinau, shouting “We want Europe,” “We are Romanians” and “Down with Communism,” according to the Interfax news service.

Moldova was part of Romania until 1940, then was occupied by the Soviet Union until it declared independence in 1991. Independence ushered in instability and catastrophic economic conditions, and in 2001 angry citizens voted the Communist Party back into power, making it the first post-Soviet state to do so.

Protests were convened on Monday night after the election results were announced, and police officials told the Interfax news service that demonstrators had confronted the police and tried to overturn vehicles. On Tuesday the crowds gathered again, picketing the Election Commission headquarters, the president’s residence, and other government buildings.

News broadcasts showed columns of police shielding their heads as protesters threw objects at them, and dispersing the crowd with water cannon.

The crowd is demanding that President Vladimir Voronin announce his resignation and leave Moldova, Interfax reported. Mr. Voronin was scheduled to step down as president Tuesday, but the newly elected Communist parliament will almost certainly appoint a Communist to succeed him.

Javier Solana, chief of foreign policy for the European Union, said he was “very concerned” about the situation. He said that election observers had reported that the April 5 polls met many international standards, but that there had still been “undue administrative interference” and a lack of public confidence.

“I call on all sides to refrain from violence and provocation,” Mr. Solana said, in a statement. “Violence against government buildings is unacceptable. Equally important is the respect for the inalienable right of assembly of peaceful demonstrators.”