Romanian protests reflected in international media

While supported and acclaimed several years ago by the population as a strong player on the Romanian political stage, president Traian Basescu and the current administration led by Prime Minister Emil Boc have now had to face the most ample protests so far, directed against the unpopular austerity measures made over the last years. BR reviews below how the protests were reflected by major international media outlets.

“The rallies in Romania began four days ago to support an official who had quit in protest against health care reforms. But the protests have since widened to include general discontent with the government’s policies. The alliance of opposition parties has called for early elections. The unlikely catalyst for the latest demonstrations was the resignation of popular health official Raed Arafat. The Palestinian-born doctor came to Romania in the 1980s, and is a well-known and much-liked figure, due to the practical changes he made to improve the emergency services, “ the BBC’s Nick Thorpe reports.

 Read the entire stories here and here.

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“Hundreds of Romanians had rallied in Bucharest to protest against austerity measures and planned health care reforms, calling on President Traian Basescu to quit. Some of them, chanting anti-Basescu slogans, marched towards the presidential palace, closely monitored by police. Clashes erupted between demonstrators who blocked traffic in University Square and riot police. Police used tear gas on the demonstrators, witnesses told local media. Protesters were also called out to support the founder of Romania’s emergency medical services, Raed Arafat,” says AFP.

 Read the entire AFP piece here

 “Protesters calling for President Traian Basescu’s resignation and early elections blocked traffic in the capital’s University Square. Many waved flags with the centers ripped out to symbolize the 1989 communist revolution. Others carried signs reading “Liberty” and “Down with President Basescu.” Facing public pressure, Basescu decided to scrap the reforms Friday, saying he made the decision after realizing that a majority of those in the medical system opposed the change. “The hospitals don’t want the change, the (doctors) don’t want the change and neither does the emergency health care system,” Basescu said,” reports CNN.

See the two pieces that CNN dedicated to the event here and here.

“Romania’s government pulled its controversial draft healthcare reform bill on Friday after street protests and criticism from experts who say it lacked detail on private sector involvement and risked further damaging the outdated medical system.This is the first time Prime Minister Emil Boc’s centrist coalition government, which enforced painful austerity measures under an IMF-led aid deal, has withdrawn legislation under pressure from demonstrators. Deputy Health Minister Raed Arafat, a highly respected doctor, resigned this week after criticizing the draft bill and being confronted by Basescu, a supporter of the project.His resignation sparked street protests, with hundreds of supporters gathering in Bucharest and several large cities across Romania on Thursday and Friday,” says Reuters.

Read the entire Reuters piece here.

“Romania’s government called an emergency meeting late Sunday to discuss violent protests that show no sign of abating after demonstrators angry about austerity measures hurled stones and firebombs at police. The protests, in their fourth day, are the most serious since President Traian Basescu came to power in 2004. They are the result of frustration against public wage cuts, slashed benefits, higher taxes, cronyism in state institutions and widespread corruption. Anger has mainly been directed against the once-popular Romanian president. Basescu, 60, vowed to be a hands-on president when he came to power in 2004. He regularly gave interviews in supermarkets, was filmed dancing with his wife in restaurants and enjoyed a reputation as a man of the people,” says AP.

 Read the entire AP piece here.

“About 50 people have been injured in the Romanian capital Bucharest, following violent protests during the weekend against austerity measures, Mediafax reported, citing the national emergency service. Some of the protesters, who have been identified as supporters of three Bucharest-based football teams, clashed with riot police, throwing stones, burning cars and breaking into stores, police spokesman Florin Hulea was quoted as saying by Realitatea TV,” reports Bloomberg.

Read the entire Blomberg piece here.

Read more on the protests that took place in Bucharest over the week-end at this link.
Otilia Haraga