Government "rotation" plans put on hold in Romania amid teachers' strike

Update: Prime minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Friday morning, May 26, that he would keep his seat until a solution for the teachers' strike is found. Earlier this week, he announced that he would resign today, according to the previously approved calendar within the ruling coalition.

"We'll continue the dialogue with the [education] unions, we have presented them with all the facts honestly and realistically. We hope that we can reach a solution through dialogue," the prime minister said Friday morning, cited by Digi24.

"We had talks until late last night, we met again this morning. We have agreed that until these issues are resolved, I will not resign, I will assume the responsibility of the position of prime minister. I hope we will be able to implement the rotation within the coalition in the shortest time," he added.

Initial story: President Klaus Iohannis announced that the planned government reshuffle under the "rotation" of the two main ruling parties is de facto postponed until the teachers' strike is settled. Timing is not of the essence as long as the stability is preserved, he stated.

This is, however, a highly uncertain deadline as long as the executive's offer for one-off bonuses and gradual adjustment of wages was firmly rejected by teachers' representatives who insist on a 25% wage hike on the spot.

Faced with street protests of teachers and pupils, expected to aggravate in the coming days, the ruling coalition put on hold the special pension bill as well.

Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca will probably no longer resign on May 26, as previously announced.

About 15,000 people attended the teachers' rally on May 25, which was also joined by hundreds of pupils supporting the teachers' initiative. The leaders of the education unions announced that the general strike in the schools continues, and next Tuesday, a new protest will be organized with thousands of people in front of the President's headquarters.

(Photo source: Presidency.ro)