Let us into continental Europe - don't shove Russian down our throats

Protesters

The demonstrators said the government's decision was pushing Moldova closer to Russia and away from Europe.

"Down with Russification, down with communism," shouted the protesters, many of whom were draped in the flags of the European Union and Moldova.

"Let us into continental Europe. Don't shove Russian down our throats."

The participants also called on teachers and schoolchildren to boycott Russian language lessons.

The demonstration was organised by the opposition Christian Democratic Popular Party, which advocates unification of Moldova and Romania.

Russian orbit

The government introduced Russian as a compulsory language from the second grade earlier this month.

Communists are pressing for closer ties with Russia

It was one of the pre-election promises of the Communist Party, which was swept to power last year amid mass disillusionment in one of Europe's poorest countries.

Moldovan Communist President Vladimir Voronin is a strong advocate of the country joining the political union of Russia and Belarus.

Last month the government ratified a friendship treaty with Russia, defining it as Moldova's strategic partner.

Although around 75% of Moldovans are of Romanian descent, the country has a large Russian-speaking minority, and Russian is widely spoken in the cities.