Romania: Farmers and truckers protest at country's border crossings with Ukraine and Moldova as of mid-January, plan protests in Bucharest Jan. 21-23 /update 2

Romanian farmers and truckers launched a protest blockade at the Diakovo-Halmeu crossing on the Ukrainian-Romanian border Jan. 18. The action comes as affiliated groups have continued protests at the Porubne-Siret and Krasna-Vicovu de Sus crossing points on the Ukrainian-Romanian border and at the Costesti-Stanca crossing point on the Moldovan-Romanian border as of mid-January. The purpose of the demonstrations is to denounce increased costs of business and demand accelerated subsidy payments, a freeze on loan payments, and separate queues for EU trucks and those from outside the EU at border crossings and the Port of Constanta on the Black Sea. The demonstrations have notably continued in recent days despite farmers reaching a deal with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development that addresses several of their demands; truckers, meanwhile, have remained in talks with government officials as of mid-January.

Farmers and transport workers plan to conduct related protests at Constitution Square (Piata Constitutiei) in Bucharest Jan. 21-23. Authorities have permitted the attendance of 5,000 protesters and 200 vehicles; however, demonstration organizers initially requested permission for 50,000 people to protest, and it was not immediately clear if they would adhere to authorities' conditions. Protest organizers also did not immediately announce the times at which the demonstrations would occur on the planned protest days. Related truckers' protests have previously taken place in the environs of Bucharest and on a highway leading to the Port of Constanta; additional demonstrations cannot be ruled out in these areas over the short term.

Transport disruptions, including increased border crossing times for freight vehicles, are likely in border areas that are subject to protest activity. Authorities will likely deploy a heightened security presence to any related demonstrations that materialize at border crossings. Temporary shortages of goods cannot be ruled out. Heightened security and transport disruptions are also likely around Bucharest's Constitution Square Jan. 21-23. Protest participants may attempt to block traffic or move to another location in the capital on short notice. Low-level confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers or frustrated motorists cannot be ruled out.