site.btaThousands Protest in Bucharest against Austerity Measures

Amid austerity measures taken by the government, thousands of Romanians joined a protest rally in Bucharest Wednesday with demands for higher wages, measures against inflation and lower taxes, local and international media outlets reported. 

The protest was organized by several trade union organizations, including the influential National Trade Union Bloc and the National Trade Union Federation for Emergency Medical Services.

The protest started in Victory Square, where the government building is located, and was followed by a protest march to Constitution Square. Vuvuzela blared and drums measured the pace of protestors. They carried plakards reading "We want decent salaries!" and "Don’t hit those who save you," reported the Associated Press.

The trade union organizations insists on urgent measures to stop the decline in workers’ purchasing power and to improve their living conditions. The unionists warn that the liberalization of the energy market and the increase in value-added tax have led to an annual inflation rate of 9.9%, the highest since 2010. According to union data, between 2022 and 2025 prices have risen by 46.2%.

The National Trade Union Bloc demands that the minimum gross wage be increased from RON 4,050 (EUR 796) to at least RON 4,325 (EUR 850).

To curb the excessive budget deficit, the Romanian government adopted two packages of austerity measures that raised taxes and froze wages and pensions. The government is also preparing a reform of the public administration that envisions job cuts.