Anti-Communist Protests In Europe

Raising The Flag — AP Photo/John McConnico

Anti-communist demonstrators hold a flag reading "Stop the Communist Dictatorship" outside the Moldovan presidential palace Monday, April 6, 2009 in Chisinau. The ruling Communist Party was declared victorious in this weekend's Parliamentary elections, prompting protests against alleged vote-rigging.

Voting

Moldovans crowd a hall Sunday to vote in Korzhibva (left) in an election that could decide whether the former Soviet republic keeps close links with Russia or moves closer to the European Union; residents of the breakaway republic of Transnistria were allowed to vote. In Kochiyer, a woman votes using her old Soviet passport as identification.

Charges Of Vote Fraud

A voter searches for his name on a voting list in Kochiyer. The Communist Party, which has been in power since 2001, won about 50 percent of the vote. Opposition leaders charged election fraud, claiming many people voted more than once.

President Voronin

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin (pictured during Victory Day celebrations in Chisinau last May) is the only communist leader in Europe. He cannot stand for a third consecutive term, but has clearly said he wants to remain close to power. Moldova, wedged between Ukraine and EU-member Romania, is Europe's poorest country, and many have said it is time for a change in leadership.

Moldova Tweets

Using social messaging networks Twitter and Facebook to spread information, anti-communist organizers called for demonstrations in the capital to demand new elections. Expecting 1,000 people at most, the crowds soon grew to 15,000.

Thumbs Down

A woman gestures, as anti-communist demonstrators protest outside the presidential palace Monday April 6, 2009 in Chisinau.

Battle On Palace Steps

Although the protests began peacefully, they soon grew violent, as anti-communist demonstrators threw bricks at the doors of the presidential palace Tuesday April 7, 2009. Police fought back with water cannon, hitting a woman on the palace steps.

Bricks

Anti-communist demonstrators throw bricks at riot police outside the presidential palace as thousands attempted to storm government buildings.

Against The Spray

An anti-communist protestor tries to climb the steps of the presidential palace, using a police shield.

Clash

Anti-communist demonstrators throw bricks at riot police outside the presidential palace. A hospital doctor said 50 police officers and protesters were injured in the clashes.

Bonfires

Anti-communist demonstrators protest in front of a bonfire on the steps of parliament and raise a Romanian flag. Moldovan President Voronin blamed Romanian TV for inciting violence against his government, and accused high school teachers of threatening students if they did not participate in protests.

Scramble

Riot police scramble down the embankment of the shattered presidential palace Tuesday April 7, 2009. Demonstrators eventually took control of the buildings, setting fire to furniture and hurling computers out of windows.

Back In Position

On Wednesday riot police surrounded the government buildings, retaking control and arresting nearly 200 people.

Charred

A Moldovan police officer surveys the damage to the burned parliament building in Chisinau Wednesday, April 8, 2009.

Ransacked

A guard sits in the office of the speaker of the parliament in Chisinau, Moldova, Wednesday April 8, 2008.

Refused Entry

After the violence, Moldova closed its border with Romania. President Voronin declared the Romanian ambassador "persona non-grata in this Republic," and announced plans to introduce visas for Romanian citizens. Border authorities re-opened the crossings on Wednesday but refused access to Romanians.

Icon

A security agent stands guard in front of the parliament building spray painted with anti-communist slogans in Chisinau Wednesday, April 8, 2008.