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| Europe and the Protests in Romania |
| (2012-01-19) |
| Last updated: 2012-01-20 13:58 EET |
Although the sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone seems to be the focus of the efforts of EU officials and institutions, the recent developments in several member states haven’t gone unnoticed. Within days of having taken over his mandate at the head of the European Parliament, Social-Democrat Martin Schulz has recommended the Romanian government not to dismiss the demands of the people who, over the past week, have been demonstrating in major cities.
“These are people who have their hopes pinned on the future. Anyone left without hope for the future of their children must be heard out”, the German politician has warned in a roundabout way. Economic shortages can pose a certain threat, because they run the risk of escalating into racism, xenophobia and scapegoating.
The EU official went on to say that Romania has not arrested the attention of EU bodies, as has Hungary. However, allegations voiced by the Social-Liberal opposition in Bucharest have not fallen deaf ears. On Tuesday, Social-Democrat leader Victor Ponta said in Strasbourg that Social-Democrats, Liberals and Greens in the European Parliament are to dispatch a joint delegation to Romania. This is expected to draw up a report urging the Parliament to adopt a resolution on recent developments in Romanian politics.
The opposition has pointed the finger at president Traian Basescu and the Liberal-led government for the worsening democratic climate in Romania. Every day, the president and the government are the target of the opposition of hundreds of Romanians who have taken to the streets to voice their grievances.
Against the tense background, and following talks with leaders of the Social-Liberal Union, PM Emil Boc has accepted to hold an emergency Parliament session between January 23rd and 24th, aimed at addressing the current situation. The Social-Liberals however are dissatisfied, given that January 24th will be devoted to an important moment in Romanian history – the 1859 Union of the Romanian Principalities. Still, all political actors seem to hold their ground.
The opposition has sided with the crowd in calling for the creation of a government of technocrats that would hold early elections. That will require undergoing a series of low-grade proceedings, PM Boc argued and still, there is little chance of holding early elections any time before August. The Government plans to hold joint local and parliamentary elections in November.
The opposition challenged this move at the Constitutional Court, after the Government sought a confidence vote in Parliament. Opposition members say the joint elections would violate the principles of good manner in election law and in breach of related EU standards. The High Court has, for the second time, postponed a ruling in the matter. The decision has obscured the political and social context all the more, and has given the government a time-out, much to the demonstrators’ disgruntlement.
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