The economical crisis hit hard Romania. Or was Romania already in crisis?...

Ever since the 1989 Revolution, when Romania abolished the communist dictatorship of President Ceausescu, the country struggled with economical problems and corruption.  No single political party proved capable of respecting their promises. Although political power changed color and emblem several times, the country’s problems persisted.

 The EU membership status obtained in 2007 revived the hope things will go better. However, the next elections proved nothing really has changed. The same political leaders were waiting quietly their turn to take advantage of the power.

People gradually lost confidence in the political class. They lost it to the point they…re-elected president Basescu in 2009. Same president that was suspended in 2007, during his first mandate. “No option, that is, same option”, thought the voters.

In 2010 tens of thousands of people gathered in Victoria Square, in front of the Government’s building, to ask for PM’s Emil Boc and President’s Traian Basescu demission.

The 19^th May protest meeting reunited leaders of trade unions and more than 50000 public employees: doctors and health staff, teachers, academic staff, students, pensioners, the public institutions and administration sector, workers from the power sector, the national railway company CFR and the subway company Metrorex,   social services workers, policemen, the mining sector, national defense employees.

People cried, sang and shouted their discontent regarding the new to-be-adopted measures for “pulling out” Romaniafrom the economical crisis.

On the “anti-crisis solutions “ list the “best of the worse” proposals were: reducing all salaries by 25 percent, minimizing pensions by 15 percent, cutting unemployment help by 15 percent, diminishing  child allowance and single parent child allowance , restraining maternal vacation from 2 years to 1 year.

Furthermore, the special law package proposed by the Romanian Government prevents Parliament from subjecting it to debate.

If these measures will be implemented, many people will see themselves condemned to extreme poverty. Romaniais already facing a huge wave of emigration: thousands of people leave the country for living and working in another EU state, especially young, educated ones.

The 19^th May meeting protest tried to show politicians the real face of Romania: poor and despaired. People were loud and angry, but remained peaceful and polite during the whole manifestation.

However, people’ energetic response may fail to convince leaders. During the very protest action, the Government held an untroubled meeting inside the building of Victoria Square.

 Apart from elections time, when people are asked to put the stamp on one of the “well-known” “already-been-there” candidates, there is not too much “citizens” can do, even in a democratic country.

For the moment, trade union leaders announced their intention to unleash general strike starting May 31. Yet, people’ passivity may return. Those people who went to the elections knowing they have no real choice to make; may decide now to stay at work, knowing there is no real victory to achieve by going out on the streets.

So…. has democracy become a meaningless word for Romania?...

19^th Meeting Pictures

Basescu, actual Romania’s president, ex-marine officer, pictured as “ a pirate “.

A doll in a coffin and an-already famous Basescu’s quote: “Here, you live well”

An old-lady “survivor” of the past communist regime: “Down the Government and Basescu/They are worse than Ceausescu”

Satirical representation of President Basescu and submissive, flattering PM Emil Boc.

The new 0 RON Basescu bank-note issued for state employees