National Press Review, 19 January

Most of today’s newspaper editions deal with the recent wave of protests.

The aspects presented by the daily publications include updates on the status of social movements, the reaction of the governing Members of the Parliament and the opposition, as well as the consequences of people expressing their dissatisfaction on the streets.

Under the headline ‘The Orban test and marching without moving forward’ the Adevărul writes about the Social Liberal Union’s political rally in Bucharest, which has not been authorised to reach Piața Universității, and also about the protesters’ way of welcoming the liberal politician Ludovic Orban on Tuesday evening.

The newspaper offers details on the upcoming protest of the opposition, estimating that approximately 10 000 people from Bucharest and other cities of the country will be attending.

The conclusions following yesterday’s discussions between the Democratic Liberal Party and the Social Liberal Union are also presented in the pages of the publication, in addition to the stand of NGOs regarding an invitation to dialogue.

The Evenimentul Zilei headlines ‘The Romanian people address the political class: You no longer represent us’, stating that, according to the latest sociological research, the level of trust in the political class, regardless of the political colour, has dropped dramatically.

The article attempts to find the causes of this phenomenon, which has affected not only the governing parties following the implementation of austerity measures, but also the opposition.

Additionally, we find out the opinions of analyst Ion Cristoiu and of sociologist Alin Teodorescu concerning the so-called lack of alternative seen by the voters.

The România Liberă writes ‘The government is caught between the hammer of austerity and the anvil of protests’.

The publication presents, on the one hand, the budgetary agenda for 2012, which takes into account the loans contracted by the Romanian government from international financial institutions, and the commitments undertaken by the authorities from Bucharest to reduce expenditures and the budgetary deficit, and, on the other hand, the protesters’ demands for bigger wages and pensions, generally.

This is can NOT be achieved in this economic climate – Prime Minister Emil Boc declared, emphasising that economic measures can nonetheless be applied, which would stimulate investments and the creation of jobs opportunities.

On the contrary, the chief economist of the National Bank, Constantin Lazea, claims that ‘nominal wage increases in the public sector are possible’, but only after this sector has been restructured.

Lastly, the Jurnalul Naţional tackles the topic of the Romanian authorities’ efforts to reassure foreign investors, considering the protests organised in the last few days.

These events will not cause delays in the elections – assured the Secretary of State for Finance, Bogdan Drăgoi, during an economic forum in Vienna.

On the same topic, the Vice-governor of NBR, Cristian Popa, believes it is important that Romania NOT be perceived as a country with a risk of instability.

Translated by: Cristina Baciu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University