Tens of thousands of Moldovans took to the streets on Sunday in the capital, Chisinau, calling for early elections as the country continues to be rocked by a 1-billion-euro banking scandal.

The organizers of the demonstration said that 25,000 to 40,000 people turned out to show their anger over corruption in the country, which is one of the poorest nations in Europe. Police did not provide a crowd estimate.

"If President Nicolae Timofti does not resign before the end of next week, we will intensify our protests," said Socialist Party President Igor Dodon.