In the capital Chisinau, about 75,000 people came to a rally of President Maia Sandu. She promised to lead the country into the European Union by 2030.
The Russian-speaking minority in the country is supported by Russia, which exerts its influence in the former Soviet republic. Russia has already stationed soldiers in Moldova's pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria. But it could take another decade or more for Moldova to become an EU member, as the country has to meet a long list of requirements.