The protests Romanians organized both in Romania and outside the country in February have not only been some of the biggest the country has seen, but also among the most creative.

The protesters’ creativity was brought to public attention by major publications from around the world. For example, Washington Post published a story called Romanian creativity is hallmark of huge anti-graft protests.

Even Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, who the protesters would want gone from the helm of the Government, said that he appreciates the protests’ creativity, and named two of his favorite slogans, reports the local media.

One of them said No More Victoria’s Secrets, referring to the name of the Government headquarters - Palatului Victoria, and the fact that people believe that the current Government has the tendency to do things “in secret.” Besides its connection to the Romanian reality, the slogan becomes even funnier as it makes people think of the famous women’s premium lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret.

The second slogan is the one saying Sorine, clipeste de doua ori daca vrei sa te salvam (Sorin, blink twice if you want us to save you). The message is directly addressed to Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, as some say that he is not actually in charge of what is happening in the Government, but that he is just a puppet of Liviu Dragnea, the president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the ruling party in Romania.

However, there have been rumors that Grindeanu and Dragnea don’t get along so well anymore. Moreover, some commentators even suggested that Sorin Grindeanu could and should take the steps to replace Dragnea at PSD’s helm.

Former Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who was also PSD's leader for several years, also suggested that a Government with two or three "pilots" is a recipe for disaster. According to political sources, Grindeanu has been having frequent talks with Ponta lately, although the former PM has lost his influence within the party after Dragnea cam to power.

Grindeanu and Dragnea continue to display a good relationship, but their appearances no longer resemble those in early-January, when the PSD leader controlled the press conferences and the newly-appointed PM only echoed his party leader's messages.

Thus, although some the protesters have been asking for Grindeanu's resignation, the protests in front of the Government's building in Victoriei Square seem to have actually strengthened the Prime Minister's position while Dragnea's firm grip over his party has started to soften.

The anti-Government protests, which started more than a month ago after the Grindeanu cabinet passed an emergency ordinance that aimed to change the Criminal Code, have continued in Bucharest this week, although he number of protesters was significantly lower, and are expected to continue in the coming days. Moreover, another big protest was announced for Sunday.

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Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

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