Romanian govt warns austerity protesters
BUCHAREST — Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc yesterday said he "understood" the hardship his countrymen are enduring under austerity measures, but warned that violent protests will not be tolerated, following recent demonstrations.
"Street violence can not be tolerated," he told a press conference in the capital a day after an otherwise peaceful demonstration ended in activists throwing firebombs at police and looting shops.
Boc's cabinet was due to meet later and discuss the new health bill, which triggered the protests in the capital Bucharest and other cities.
Authorities said that 51 people, including four police officers, were injured and 29 arrested in clashes in Bucharest on Sunday.
The protests began spontaneously four days earlier, and were aimed against government austerity measures, but also President Traian Basescu, described as authoritarian and arrogant.
"There is much room for dialogue, but no room for violence," Boc said.
The planned health care system reform is a part of the austerity programme Romania agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union.
Tens of thousands of Romanians have been made redundant since 2009, whilst public-sector wages were cut by 25 per cent and the value added tax was hiked by 5 per cent.