Romania’s massive protests make international headlines over the weekend

06 February 2017
Normal

Romania’s massive protests make international headlines over the weekend

06 February 2017

After almost a week of daily street protests over a now repealed emergency ordinance that was looking to bring changes to the criminal laws and decriminalize some corruption offenses, Romania is making headlines in the international media, which noted the size of the protests, the largest the country has seen in 25 years and the impact they had, more immediately on pressuring the government to change its decision but also as an example of people power.

The Guardian reported on the government’s decision to retract the emergency ordinance and characterized the protests as the “biggest outpouring of public anger since the toppling of Ceausescu.” In the Opinions section of the British daily’s website, another piece notes that the protesters “so far managed to steer away from harmful associations with opposition parties” and highlights the “civic creativity” inspired by the government’s actions.

A video on the BBC website outlines three things to know about corruption in Romania: politicians perceived to act in their own self-interest can expect to be held to account by the people, the protesters expect the government to resign despite having retracted the ordinances, and Romania has been putting considerable effort over the past years in fighting corruption.

The Financial Times, besides reporting on the outcome of the protests, ran in its FT View section an opinion on the protests as A victory for people power in Romania. Aljazeera notes a "newfound civic spirit of Romanians", while The New York Times, which opened a comments section on the experience of corruption in Romania, also reported on how the government turned around its decision to introduce the ordinance.

The NBC News noted the creative use of the cell phone lights during the protest with an Associated Press report: Romania Protests: Crowds Use Cell Phones to Shine Light on Corruption Law. At the same time, The Washington Post also wrote about the government's intent to stay put: Romania leader: government won’t quit despite mass protests.

Euronews ran an opinion of Romanian Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, a professor of democracy studies at Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, on Romania's anti-corruption implosion, and another on How Romania is developing its own culture of protest. Last week it ran an opinion by Isabela Mares, a professor of political science at Columbia University, which saw the Romanian protests as an example of "the "new politics" in the era of global populism": Global populism, Romania protests.

Deutsche Welle reported on Biggest protest in Romania in three decades, and ran an opinion on What's next for Romania?, where Robert Schwarz argues that Romania's civil society "has come of age this winter. Its peaceful, persistent and clear rebellion against corruption and despotism is deserving of respect. No longer does it allow itself to be fobbed off with a few crumbs and empty promises."

Spanish El Pais also reported on how the government's repeal of the ordinance did not end the protests, while Swiss Le Matin wrote on the continued protests. France 24 wrote on the ‘Half-million’ Romania protesters keep up pressure despite graft law repeal.

Regional platform Balkan Insight reported on the solidarity protests held in Sofia: Sofia Rally Voices Solidarity With Romanian Protesters.

News agencies Bloomberg, Reuters and Associated Press all continued with updates from Romania, presented in such news outlets as The Daily Mail, The Independent, Fox News, Seattle Times, or Tulsa World.

Govt.’s decision on corruption and protests in Romania reverberate in the international press

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo by: Dan Mihai Balanescu)

Romania Insider Free Newsletters