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| - More than 5,000 people rallied on Thursday in Moldova against legislation that would limit the powers of the newly elected pro-European president. Maia Sandu is due to take office in late December as leader of the ex-Soviet republic, wedged between Ukraine and Romania, after winning a surprise victory over pro-Russian incumbent Igor Dodon. Protesters gathered outside parliament in the capital Chisinau after Sandu called for her supporters to rally against several bills tabled by Dodon's Party of Socialists, including one that would limit presidential powers. The bill proposes transferring control of the Information and Security Service of Moldova, the country's intelligence agency, from president to parliament. Sandu's supporters chanted "Down with the Traitors!" and demanded the dissolution of parliament. Police cordoned off the building but did not interfere with the rally. At the protest, Sandu called for the resignation of Dodon's government, which she said has "supported his corrupt schemes", and for early parliamentary polls. "We need a good country for all decent people. We need snap elections to kick the thieves out of power," Sandu said. The last parliamentary election was held in 2019 with Dodon's party securing a third of the seats. Inside parliament, opposition deputies demanded that the bills be scrapped but were overruled by pro-Dodon politicians. During his four years in power, Dodon enjoyed the strong backing of Moscow and supported closer ties with Russia. Sandu promised during the campaign to battle corruption in the country of 3.5 million people, which is one the poorest in Europe. ag-acl/mm
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