Opposition and Anti-Government Protestors Demand Romanian President’s Resignation
January 27, 2012
By: Rebecca Aaberg

Romanian cities have been swept by a wave of protests as anti-austerity and opposition groups have been rallying since January 12.  The Washington Post reports that although the two groups are not working in conjunction with one another, they are both asking for the removal of President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Emil Bloc and new elections. 

Anti-government protestors challenged austerity measures and criticized not only the current government but also the opposition.  AFP reported that 1,500 protestors took University Square, the site of anti-dictatorship protests in 1989, against what they called the “political class.”  Riot police wearing black ski masks arrested 55 protestors, and five persons were treated for injuries. Demonstrators condemned recent austerity measures undertaken by the party in power, the Liberal Democrat Party, which include cuts on government salaries, increased taxes, and frozen pension funds.  In 2009, in order to receive 20 billion euros from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and European Union, the country agreed to institute austerity measures, cutting spending and reducing the deficit from 6.9 percent of GDP in 2010 to 4.2 percent of GDP in 2011, the New York Times reported.

A Washington Post report connected the recent anti-government protests to pervasive beliefs among citizens that the Romanian government has acted in a self-serving capacity since the democratic transition.  Many politicians are former communists, and the protestors say the country’s political problems stem from “entrenched cronyism, a huge gap between rich and poor and a lack of government transparency that feeds a widespread sense of injustice.”  Freedom House warned that Central Europe shows “hints of re-emergent illiberalism.”

On January 19, approximately 7,000 supporters of the National Liberal Party, the opposition party, demonstrated in Bucharest.  According to the Washington Post, 100 protestors were questioned after the rally for throwing stones and attempting to break police lines with iron fences.

The United States Department of State issued a statement asking protestors to remain non-violent, AFP reported. 

For previous news on Romania, please see:
Charges of Fraud in Romania’s Presidential Election 

Sources:
AFP - Romania opposition supporters stage mass protest

New York Times - Romanian Protesters Urge Government’s Ouster

Washington Post – Romania’s Protests Reveal Mounting Frustration Over Poverty, Injustice in Eastern Europe

Washington Post - US urges Romanians protest peacefully as crowds gather for 8th day of anti-government demos

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