Protests in Romania against the planned health care reform and the outpouring of violence in the capital, Bucharest, have hit the headlines around the world. The New York Times refers to an emergency government meeting in response to what the paper terms “demonstrators angry about austerity measures.” Reuters news agency describes events as “Romania's most violent protests in more than decade.” The BBC goes into some detail saying what began as a reaction against the health care reforms has now widened into general discontent with the government and austerity measures. The mood across the news services suggests further unrest, protests, according to the New York Times “showed no sign of abating,” while Reuters leads with, “Analysts expect more demonstrations this week.”

The potential economic fallout from Romania's headline grabbing public discontent is gathering momentum in the press. The Washington Post carries a story on PM Emil Boc's warning earlier today ( January 16 ) that the protests could damage the Romanian economy, ING Bank also suggested that although the local currency is so far unaffected, this could change if protestors continue.

However, it is still the descent into violence and the emergency government meeting that share the majority of the headlines. Most news sources give austerity measure as the underlying cause of the unrest.

editor@romania-insider.com 

(photo source: Sxc.hu)