In Monday’s special Parliamentary session, MPS focused on working out a solution that might put an end to social unrest, against the backdrop of a wave of anti-presidential and anti-government protests that have swept Romania in the past week and a half. Siding with the protesters’ demands, the Social Liberal Union has called for early elections, which are seen as a less costing solution. Some voices in the opposition have even gone as far as suggesting a mass-resignation of opposition MPs, to trigger the election of a new Parliament. Crin Antonescu, co-leader of the Social-Liberal Union thus addressed the ruling coalition in Parliament:
“Yes, I do agree to this project. The protracted state of tension in Romanian society is encroaching on the country’s economy. Let us put an end to this. You have but two choices: to stay with the riot police or hit the ballot boxes. I suggest the latter”
The response of the ruling coalition was unexpected. PM Emil Boc suggested the signing of a political pact aimed at ensuring political and economic stability, whose main objective should be making more jobs available. Emil Boc:
“Our top priority remains the economic stability of the country and Romania’s credibility abroad. To this end, I must reiterate my proposition on striking a political and economic stability pact in 2012, whose key goal would be to maintain and create new jobs for the citizens of this country”.
In his Parliament address, the PM also announced he had dismissed Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi. A week ago, Minister Baconschi wrote a series of insulting remarks about protestors on his personal blog. Baconschi was attending the EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels when he received news of his dismissal. Teodor Baconschi told Radio Romania’s Brussels correspondent the decision had surprised his fellow party members, but agreed that, in the end, politics was all about team play. Baconschi’s discharge did not stir much enthusiasm among protesters, who believe this move changes little. Protests have continued in Bucharest and other cities in Romania.
Meanwhile, the trade union of reserve officers has staged a large-scale rally in the capital city Bucharest, followed by a protest march. Taking part in the protest were also trade unions in the education, healthcare and transport sector. Whether the Romanian government will be reshuffled or not, representatives of ethnic minorities other than Hungarian have announced they will no longer join the government’s confidence votes. The decision was taken to restore political dialogue in Parliament, given that no less than 14 laws were passed after the government had asked for Parliament’s confidence vote.
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2025-04-03
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