Romania: Protesters clash with police in Bucharest Dec. 2 /update 1

Event

Thousands of political opposition supporters rallied in Victory Square in Bucharest on Saturday, December 2. The demonstrators reportedly halted the construction of a Christmas market that Gabriela Firea, the mayor of Bucharest and a member of the ruling Social Democrat party, planned to hold throughout December in the square. Minor clashes between police officers and protesters also occurred. Police officials said that three people were arrested. According to media reports, additional demonstrations are expected to take place in Bucharest in the coming weeks.

Context

Opposition parties, civil society groups, and trade unions held a protest at Victory Square on Friday, December 1. The protesters denounced a bill that would allow the justice minister to appoint and dismiss state prosecutors, as well as weaken the power of the anti-corruption prosecutor's office. However, the government claims the aim of the proposed law is to prevent the judicial sector from pursuing a politically motivated agenda; critics worry it will undermine efforts to root out corruption.

Public outrage erupted in February 2017 after the government ratified an emergency decree allowing certain corruption offenses to be decriminalized. This sparked the biggest protests seen in the country since the fall of communism in 1989. At least half a million Romanians took to the streets, forcing the government to eventually repeal the ordinance and the justice minister to resign.

Advice

Individuals present in Romania are advised to avoid all demonstrations, to anticipate transportation disruptions in the vicinity of protests, and to monitor developments to the situation. ​