BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) 鈥� Thousands of protesters marched in 鈥檚 capital on Wednesday, demanding higher wages, measures to curb inflation and tax reductions for workers as the government pushes on with austerity to tackle the country’s large budget deficit.
Protesters gathered outside government headquarters in Bucharest, then marched toward the Palace of Parliament. They honked horns and banged drums, and some held placards that read: 鈥淲e want decent salaries!鈥� or 鈥淒on鈥檛 hit those who save you,鈥� the latter accompanied by a photo of an ambulance worker.
The rally was organized by the National Trade Union Bloc, made up of dozens of professional federations, and comes as Romania鈥檚 government pursues measures to reduce the budget deficit. It stood at over 9% in 2024 鈥� one of the highest in the 27-nation European Union.
Romania has agreed with the EU to reduce the deficit to 8.4% this year.
The government austerity measures include tax hikes, public sector wage and pension freezes and cutting public spending and public administration jobs.
鈥淲orkers are once again being sacrificed for their jobs 鈥� even though we work harder, we are getting poorer,鈥� the union bloc said in a statement. 鈥淭he impoverishment of the population has become state policy.鈥�
The bloc later said it had been invited by the ruling parties for discussions.
Protesters also seek an end to public sector job cuts and intensified efforts to combat tax evasion.
When Romania鈥檚 , it pledged to make reducing the budget deficit and reforming state institutions a top priority.
Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political analyst, said the government will struggle to close the economic gap without significant upheaval, because it failed to deliver “fast and decisive reform measures鈥� and lost public support.
鈥淭he perception now is that only regular people are struggling, not people (at the) top,” he said. “There is already a lot of fear from politicians of making more cuts or reforms. Unions are just one voice of this choir.鈥�
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