Romanian Prison Guards Protest Before Ruling Party HQ

Some of them threw uniform caps (without national symbols) on the ground. Union leader Sorin Dumitrascu said this was in protest to President Traian Basescu „ignoring police officers’ serious demands” by referring exclusively to the caps thrown on the ground during their rally before the presidential palace, on September 24.

Nearly 8,000 people, including thousands of police officers and prison guards, gathered outside the presidential palace in Bucharest on September 24. They had started their demonstration at the Government’s headquarters but left after two hours for the presidential palace, in an unauthorized march, where they threw bottles, candles and police hats and demanded the president come out and solve their claims.

Following the protest, Basescu and Prime Minister Emil Boc announced they no longer wish to be escorted by Interior Ministry personnel. The president said police officers undermined the state’s authority and its institutions, and highlighted that the only protesters who breached the law during rallies staged last week were the ministry’s employees. He also said gendarmes who were supposed to apply the law, negotiated it with demonstrators.

Interior Minister Vasile Blaga resigned the following week, amid tensions raised by the unsanctioned protest march, and was replaced by Traian Igas.