Romania anti-austerity protest turns violent

AL Jazeera English Europe

Ten people injured and tear gas used on more than 1,000 demonstrators in Bucharest protesting against austerity cuts. Last Modified: 15 Jan 2012 00:07

Protesters waved Romanian flags with holes in them, symbolising the 1989 anti-communist revolution [Reuters] Romanian police have fired tear gas and clashed with protesters during an anti-government rally in the third consecutive day of demonstrations against austerity cuts and worsening living standards. Authorities said that at least ten people, including one police officer who was hit by airborne stones, were injured as a result of the Saturday clashes. More than 1,000 protesters waved flags with the centre ripped out, the symbol of Romania's anti-communist revolution, yelled anti-government slogans and called for early elections in Bucharest's main University Square, blocking traffic on a main thoroughfare. Young men climbed on cars waving flags and the crowd chanted anti-government slogans for hours, undeterred by chilly temperatures. After seven hours, protesters refused to leave, and scuffled with riot police who then used tear gas and flares. Nine people were injured in the clashes and scuffles between police and demonstrators, authorities said. One police officer sustained head injuries after he was hit by stones during the rally in Bucharest's main University Square which blocked traffic on a main thoroughfare. Controversial health reforms The protests were the most serious since President Traian Basescu came to power in 2004 and were the result of pent-up frustration against public wage cuts, slashed benefits, higher taxes and widespread corruption. In 2009, Romania took a two-year $27.5bn (20bn euro) loan from the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the World Bank, as its economy shrank by 7.1 per cent. Romania imposed harsh austerity measures under the agreement, reducing public wages by 25 per cent and increasing taxes. The catalyst for the protests, however, was the resignation of a popular health official on Tuesday after he opposed health reforms that the government had proposed. On Friday, Basescu told the government to scrap the reforms, but public anger had already risen against Basescu and the government. Protesters staged smaller anti-government rallies on Saturday in the Romanian cities of Timisoara, Constanta, Craiova and Cluj and in other smaller cities.

Source: Agencies

Email Print Share Send Feedback