Moldova's ex-president calls for snap elections over gas price

FILE PHOTO: Igor Dodon, Moldova's President and presidential candidate, speaks to the media at a polling station during the second round of a presidential election in Chisinau, Moldova November 15, 2020. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's pro-Russian opposition leader called for snap presidential and parliamentary elections on Tuesday and told the pro-Western government to go to Moscow to negotiate cheaper natural gas from Russia as prices soar.

Ex-president Igor Dodon, who retains influence despite being under house arrest on treason and corruption charges he denies, made the comments a day after Moldova's gas company said the gas price had risen 47% in August.