PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

The building that now houses the Presidency of the Republic was built between 1984 and 1987 by the architects Iuri Tumanian, Arkady Zalțman and Viktor Iavorski. It was inaugurated as the seat of the Supreme Soviet of Moldova but, with the demise of the USSR in 1991, the building was finally chosen to house the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova. It is a modern style tower, with white stones and a facade of tinted glass. The base of the building rests on a monumental red and black marble staircase. On 7 April 2009, it was also a critical moment, as was the Parliament building. Demonstrations erupted in the capital following the announcement of the results of the 5 April parliamentary elections, which gave a majority to the Communist Party. The demonstration denouncing fraudulent results had started spontaneously and calmly with students and high school students, proclaiming slogans such as "We want free elections! or "Down with the Communists!" ». The peaceful demonstration in the morning degenerated around noon, with a storming of the Presidency, with stones being thrown and fires starting. Opponents claim that employees of the internal security service (those of then President Voronin) infiltrated the crowd to incite violence and discredit the protest movement in the eyes of public opinion. The building was renovated in 2009.