In the late 1980s, the liberalization of USSR led to the emergence of long-repressed nationalist movements and ethnic disputes within the diverse republics of the Soviet Union. Along with several other Soviet republics, Moldova started to move towards independence. The first democratic elections for the local parliament were held in 1990. The Parliament adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty of the "Soviet Socialist Republic Moldova", which, among other things, stipulated the supremacy of Moldovan laws over those of the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Moldovan parliament changed the name of the republic from "Moldavian SSR" to "Republic of Moldova". Moldova then seceded from the USSR and became a sovereign, independent state. Although the young Moldovan parliament experienced some crisis moments, it is considered to achieve success in establishing the legislative basis of the newly formed state.