European Union authorities urged to step in to defend the rule of law in Romania, after the Romanian protests against corruption and changes to the judicial system went violent, ended up injuring more than 450 people in the clash with police.
While taking part in an anti-government rally in the capital Bucharest, protesting against government, protesters carrying Romanian, European Union and other flags rallied on Saturday outside government officers.
Last Friday 100,000 mostly peaceful demonstrators took to the streets in different cities, but 450 people were left needing medical help after riot police condemned an unacceptable force.
Police used water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray and batons against some sections of an 80,000-strong crowd. More than 450 people were injured in the melee, including 30 police.
“Until now we have received about 30 complaints, and my colleagues are interviewing those who were injured,” prosecutor Ionel Corbu said Monday, adding “all those suspected to have acted against the law” will be questioned.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of the government, objecting to the perceived efforts to weaken the judiciary by the governing Social Democrats (PSD). The violence began when some in the crowd tried to break into the government building – but were held back by the police security cordon.
The co-leaders of the European parliament’s Green group are calling on the European commission to launch its rule-of-law mechanism, which is being deployed against Poland and debated for Hungary.
Critics say Romania has lost ground in fighting corruption since the ruling Social Democratic Party assumed power in 2016. They are urging the government to resign and call a new election.
Interior Minister Carmen Dan said the riot police hadn’t “intervened against peaceful protesters, but against dangerous hooligans who attacked the state’s authority”.
> Shatabdi Sarker Poushi
