Pro-Russian party supporters in Moldova want more influence by Moscow
Beneath Moldova's soaring parliament building, a parade of its most precarious file slowly passed - bussed in by the thousand from across the country, each with their private tale of poverty and frustration.
"We're a laughing stock - the government is mocking us," some cry.
Capped in a blue woollen hat, Ala thrusts her wide pale face close to mine, and says: "There are people with four or five children who literally have nothing to eat."
Energy bills here now consume more than 70% of household income, according to Moldova's president, BBC writes.
Ala tells me they swallow half of her pension.
"When we elected this government, they promised to raise salaries and pensions, but so far we haven't seen a penny," she says.
The protests on February 19, organised by Moldova's pro-Russian Sor party, are being closely watched by governments across Europe and beyond. Most protesters travelled to the capital city of Chisinau by bus, with their costs reportedly covered by the Sor party.
Days before the gathering took place, President Maia Sandu warned that Russia was plotting to send military-trained saboteurs into the country, disguised as civilians, to topple her pro-Western government.
Russia has said the accusation is an attempt by Moldovan authorities to distract attention from their own social and economic failures.
Moldova, strategically located on the border with Ukraine, and harbouring its own pro-Russian breakaway region, is dependent on Russian gas.
Last year Moscow cut its supply to Moldova by half, putting pressure on the government in Chisinau, as it seeks to hold together its Romanian and Russian-speaking populations.
Protests over the rising price of gas and electricity began last autumn.
Speaking at a public briefing last Monday, President Sandu said that Russia had already attempted to destabilise the situation in Moldova via the energy crisis, which she said: "was expected to cause major discontent among the population and lead to violent protests".
The plan now, she said, involved "diversionists with military training […] who would undertake violent action, carry out attacks on buildings of state institutions or even take hostages".
She has said the alleged Russian plot would rely on "internal forces" such as the opposition Sor party and has called for parliament to pass tougher security laws.
Marina Tauber, Sor's general secretary, who led today's protest outside parliament, says that her party is not opposed to the EU and wants good relations with all sides.
But there are those in her party who admit they would welcome Russian intervention.
Orhei - an hour's drive north of the capital Chisinau - is a Sor stronghold where we meet party Councillor Iurie Berenchi.
"We're not afraid," he told, "Because if Russia wanted to take Moldova, they'd do it in half a day."
When asked if she would welcome that, Ms Berenchi is unequivocal.
"In my personal opinion, yes," he said. "With Russia, we'd be much better off than we are now."
Many people in Chisinau see closer ties with the West as a way to secure Moldova's independence and democracy at a critical time. President Sandu's party has a solid majority in parliament.
But the view from the crowd outside that parliament on February 19 was different, and there's the risk the pressure could widen the splits in Moldova's diverse society.
The risk is clear when Ala and her friends were asked whether they believe Russia wants to infiltrate Moldova, as their president fears.
"Yes, let them come!" they shout. "We want them to come here. We want to be part of Russia!"
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