Pro-Russia Protesters Break Into Moldova Parliament

Demonstrators against Moldova's new pro-European administration broke through police lines and entered the parliament building in Chisinau late Wednesday despite police attempts to disperse them with tear gas, media reported.

The protests led by the pro-Russian Socialist opposition started as lawmakers voted in a new pro-European government, led by Pavel Filip of the ruling Democratic Party. 

The Socialists and their supporters were calling for early elections, as Filip announced closer ties between Moldova and the European Union.

They accused the new administration of being led by oligarchs, shouting "Cancel the vote!" and "Thieves!", the AP news agency reported.

It was not immediately clear if there were any injuries.

The new government was voted in after the previous administration was ousted in October amid a scandal after an estimated $1 billion went missing from the country's banking system.

Since then, Europe's poorest country has been locked in political crisis. 

Filip, widely seen as a compromise candidate, was chosen to break the political deadlock. He is Moldova's third prime minister in less than a year. 

The previous premier, Valeriu Strelet, was ousted by a no-confidence vote in October.

Last week, neighbouring Romania voiced concerns about continuing political uncertainty in Moldova after its president and a coalition of political parties failed to reach a compromise agreement over who would become the country's next prime minister.

In December, Ion Sturza, a wealthy pro-Western businessman with dual Moldovan-Romanian citizenship, was tasked with forming a new government, but parliament rejected his nomination.

Bucharest has voiced concerns about continuing political...