Student protests
Students in Bucharest and across the country protested against the austerity measures adopted by the government.
Daniela Budu, 16.03.2026, 13:50
Members of the National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania protested on Saturday, in front of the government offices in Bucharest and in other university centers in the country, emphasizing the need for adequate financing of education. According to representatives of the organization, education is facing austerity measures adopted since last year, which ‘directly affected’ the rights and academic conditions of students. These include limiting the 90% discount on rail transport fees only on the route between students’ home and the university center where they study, reducing the scholarship and social protection fund by approximately 52%, eliminating the possibility of students who pay tuition fees in public universities, to benefit from scholarships, as well as financing scholarships only for the duration of teaching activities, and not for the holidays. These measures, the Alliance representatives claim, increase the financial pressure on students and affect fair access to university studies. Thus, the students demand the re-granting of scholarships, given that, in the current academic year, over 44 thousand students were left without them.
The protesters are also unhappy with the small budget allocated to education and the decision of some universities in the country to increase tuition fees starting this fall. These would increase by amounts ranging between 1,000 (200 euros) and 3,000 lei (600 euros), and could reach 9,000 lei (1,800 euros) per year. The new Minister of Education, Mihai Dimian, previously rector of the University of Suceava, went to talk to the protesting students. ”I witnessed these scholarship reductions as a rector. I tried to obtain projects to partially compensate for these scholarship reductions. We have allocated 10% of the university’s own income to partially compensate for them,” the Minister of Education stated. He told the students that he understood their dissatisfaction. Mihai Dimian: “It is very important that you express these points of view and that they are heard by all decision-makers. Education was the first in which measures were taken. Of course, it is good that we all contribute to this reduction of the deficit, not just the education field. In this respect, the dissatisfaction of students and teachers who were the first to be affected by these measures, is justified”.
We recall that last week, representatives of the National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania had a meeting with the relevant minister, during which they also conveyed their concerns regarding the situation of university dropouts. They requested an open collaboration, based on a negotiation that would ensure both the increase in the quality of education, but especially by addressing a policy of equity and access to the university environment for all young people. We remain open to dialogue and monitor the changes and measures that will be taken in the upcoming period, the students said. (EE)
