Hundreds of participants to the Romanian Revolution in 1989 protested in Bucharest on Monday, January 5, against the obligation to obtain new revolutionary certificates, a measure imposed last year via an emergency ordinance. The new certificates have to state that they’ve played an “important role” in the 1989 Revolution.

These certificates, which were awarded after 1990 to those who actively took part in the 1989  Revolution that marked the fall of communism, allow their holders to receive a monthly allowance from the state. About 22,000 Romanians have received such 'revolutionary certificates', but some 16,000 of them do not receive any allowance. Those who do receive these payments however get some RON 1,900 net a month - the equivalent of EUR 426, according to the State Secretary for Revolutionaries.  The Government previously pushed the payment of due - and yet unpaid- allowances to 2017.

The recent protests, which took place in Victoriei Square in Romania’s capital, ended after a few hours, and no major incidents were reported.  Protestors announced they will stage another protest today, January 6, in front of the Government building, according to local news agency Mediafax. During the protest, the revolutionaries sang the Romanian Anthem and chanted slogans such as “Down with the Ponta Government” and “Down with the thieves!”.

The protestors want to have a discussion with Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and, depending on the Government’s reaction, they will decide what they will do next. One of the protestors told local Mediafax that their action recorded a first victory as Prime Minister Victor Ponta sent the Control Team to check how the revolutionary certificates were awarded.

Investigation into the Romanian Revolution in 1989, still unfinished

Most Romanians feel they don’t know the truth about the 1989 Revolution

The 2-hour Revolution in a small Romanian town

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