 The council, known locally as Sfatul Țării, initiated several national and social reforms, and on December 2/15 1917 declared the Moldavian Democratic Republic an autonomous republic within the Russian Federative Democratic Republic.The Rumcherod, a rival council loyal to the Petrograd Soviet, was also formed and by late December had gained control over the capital, Chișinău, and proclaimed itself the sole authority over Bessarabia.With the consent of the Entente, and, according to the Romanian historiography, on the request of "Sfatul Țării", Romanian troops entered Bessarabia in early January, and by February had pushed the Soviets over the Dniester.