Monday, 16 January 2012Romania's government has called an emergency meeting to discuss how to respond to the escalating protests across the country against austerity measures.
In the capital, Bucharest, on January 15, demonstrators threw rocks at riot police, who in turn fired tear gas into the crowd. A number of fires were reported to have broken out.
The Romanian Mediafax news agency reported that more than 50 people required medical help as a result of the clashes, and about 40 people were detained by police.
Elsewhere, peaceful demonstrations were reported on January 15 in the cities of Cluj, Timisoara, and Iasi.
The demonstrations, in their fourth day, have been called to protest declining living standards, a controversial health-care reform, slashed benefits, higher taxes, and widespread corruption.
Prime Minister Emil Boc has appealed to protesters to stop the violence.
"My message is for dialogue. Romanians have the right to be dissatisfied. I understand each and every one of them. I know the hardships they have been enduring," he said. "But the solution is not violence, throwing rocks and bricks that can endanger our lives. Anything goes, but no violence."
Protesters are demanidng the resignation of President Traian Basescu and the government of the European Union and NATO member state. |
Monday, 16 January 2012
RFERL
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