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Public discontent swells in Romania

Tens of thousands took to the streets of Bucharest despite PM’s resignation over the nightclub fire that killed 32.

Romanian protests
More than 30,000 Romanians took to the streets in Bucharest after Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced his resignation earlier in the day. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
By Ioana Moldovan
Published On 5 Nov 20155 Nov 2015
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Bucharest, Romania – More than 70,000 people took to the streets of the main cities in Romania on Wednesday. An estimated 35,000 marched through Bucharest and occupied the centre of the city blocking traffic in the area.

On Wednesday morning, Victor Ponta, Romania’s prime minister, resigned after 25,000 people demanded he step down over the nightclub fire that left 32 people dead and more than 130 still in hospitals.

During the day on Wednesday, the general feeling after Ponta’s resignation was one of victory, but Romanians are expressing a broader discontent that goes beyond one government or the other.

They were chanting: “You can’t buy me with a resignation or two,” which goes to prove that civil society is battling first and foremost the endemic corruption in the country.

Distrust with the political elite is so far reaching in Romania, that people are simply demanding a clean slate. With the premier Ponta gone from office, scrutiny shifted towards the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis.

According to the constitution, after negotiations with political parties represented in parliament, Iohannis has to name a new head of government. Protesters want to prevent the same corrupt political elite from coming to power.

“Iohannis, you only get one chance,” tens of thousands of Romanians shouted during the protests.

There is a buzzing initiative on Romanian social media that lists possible civil society candidates suitable for public office who should replace politicians in government and other agencies.

Romanian protests
Protesters’ slogans were also against the Romanian Orthodox Church. People were chanting: 'We want hospitals, no churches', related to the fact that there are a lot more churches in Romania than hospitals. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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Romanian protests
Protesters occupied the University Square in the centre of Bucharest, blocking traffic in the area. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
Protesters marched from University Square to the House of Parliament. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
Passers-by take photos of the people marching on the streets of Bucharest. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
Protesters in front of the House of Parliament in Bucharest request early elections. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
The resignations of Ponta and sector Mayor Cristian Piedone are not enough for the protesters. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
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Romanian protests
A young protester holds a candle in remembrance of the nightclub fire that left 32 people dead and also sparked the indignation of the nation. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
The protests are largely covered on social media. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
A couple in wheelchairs attend to the protests. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
'Be scared, Romanians awake', the protesters chant in front of the House of Parliament. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
The Romanian flag with a hole in the middle represents the Romanian revolution of 1989, when communism ended. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
Protesters march to the University Square chanting 'Romania is not for sale.' [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]
Romanian protests
Protesters hold a moment of silence for the ones who died in the nightclub fire. During the protest, people often chanted, 'Colectiv' - the name of the club. [Ioana Moldovan/Al Jazeera]


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