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Chisinau (AP) - As the first woman in the history of the Republic of Moldova, the pro-European politician Maia Sandu is the country's new president.

The 48-year-old took the oath of office on Thursday in parliament in the capital Chisinau.

In her inaugural address, she called for early parliamentary elections.

"They are the only way to clean up parliament and restore justice in our country," Sandu said according to the Moldovan media.

The MPs tried to plunge the country further into chaos and corruption.

The fight against corruption and the establishment of the rule of law are her main tasks, said the new president.

Prime Minister Ion Chicu paved the way for new elections with his resignation on Wednesday.

The government has come under fire for its handling of the corona pandemic.

Over the past few weeks, thousands of people have called for the cabinet to resign in street protests.

Before Sandu took office, parliament had curtailed the powers of the future presidents.

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«We will clean up the country.

The thieves will be in prison and not in leadership positions in the country, ”announced Sandu.

The ex-Soviet republic, which is in a severe economic crisis, is considered the poorest country in Europe.

The country is divided between supporters of close relations with Russia and those who see rapprochement with the EU as a way out of the crisis.

Sandu succeeds the pro-Russia politician Igor Dodon.

The 48-year-old won the election on November 15 - with 57.7 percent of the vote.

«For me all citizens are the same.

I will work for you all, "said Sandu in Russian as well as Romanian as the official language.

Given the Russian influence in the country, she had previously agreed to talks with Moscow.

The presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Slovenia declared in a joint communication: "We support Maia Sandu and her efforts to implement reforms based on democratic values, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law."

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