Protests continue in Romania
Since January 31st, Romanians have taken to the streets in large numbers, accusing the leftist Government of attempting to amend criminal law and favour some politicians.
Corina Cristea, 13.02.2017, 13:30
In Bucharest and other major Romanian cities, large-scale protests continue against the way in which the Government formed by the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania tried to amend important legislation on corruption offences. The Sorin Grindeanu Cabinet, sworn in a month ago, passed an emergency decree which, under certain circumstances, decriminalised a number of offences, including abuse of office. This triggered a strong civil response, drawing criticism both at home, and in Romanias Western partners, and prompted citizens to shout out their discontent in the street. The largest number of protesters, over half a million, was reported a week ago. In the interest on social unity, the PM said, the Government eventually withdrew the decree. But neither that, nor the resignation of the Justice Minister Florin Iordache settled the situation. The protesters say they can no longer trust the Grindeanu Cabinet and want them penalised.
On Sunday night, the square in front of the Government building once again filled with people, and some 50,000 demonstrators displayed the Romanian national flag colours, lighting red, yellow and blue papers with their mobiles. Surrounded by laser messages projected onto the buildings in the areas, the protesters demanded the resignation of the Government, and chanted slogans like “We want to work, not guard you.”
Tens of thousands of people also protested in other major cities, like Cluj, Sibiu, Timisoara, Brasov, Constanta and Iasi, as well as in smaller towns, like Galati and Oradea. Rallies against the Grindeanu Cabinet were also held in several European cities. In Italy, Romanians protested in Rome, Milan and Turin, in Spain they gathered in front of the Romanian Embassy in Madrid, carrying flags and criticising corruption and the Social Democratic Party. Under the motto “We want a clean government,” a new rally, the sixth in the last two weeks, was held in The Hague, and concluded in front of the Romanian Embassy. A delegation of the protesters handed a petition to the Romanian Ambassador in the Netherlands. In the document, the Romanians demanded a clean, transparent and responsible government.
Meanwhile, smaller-scale protests have been staged in front of the presidential residence in Bucharest. Thousands of pro-government demonstrators have been criticising President Klaus Iohannis for stepping out of his role as a mediator and inciting disunity. Last week, the head of state, who had briefly joined the anti-Government protests, gave an address in Parliament, calling on the Government to work in a predictable and transparent manner, and the Parliament controlled by the Social Democrats to legislate to the benefit of the people, not of a group of politicians subject to criminal investigation.
