Parliament and the public opinion

Two issues with a powerful impact on public opinion in Romania are on Parliament’s agenda this week: the gold mining project in Rosia Montana and the situation of homeless dogs.

According to Environment Minister Rovana Plumb the genuine debate to take place in the most democratic of forums, namely Parliament, will definitively settle a situation the authorities have so far repeatedly postponed.

The new mining project is based on much more favourable terms for Romania and Romanians, Rovana Plumb also said, adding that as Environment Minister, she made sure new standards were introduced:

Rovana Plumb: “We have reduced the level of cyanide to a third of the ceiling admitted by the EU Directive on Gold Cyanidation. We have brought the latest and best technology in the field. Thanks to the new conditions we imposed on the project, this may very well be the safest of its kind in Europe.”

The environment guarantee, which was increased from 76 to 146 million dollars, will cover the closing of the mine entirely and make sure the waste is safely stored, Rovana Plumb also said.

Such statements from the authorities are, however, far from appeasing people’s worries. Environmentalists and historians say cyanide-based mining poses major risks, in that it may irreversibly pollute the environment, while also destroying important historical remains in the area.

Thousands of people opposed to the project have protested every day for more than a week in Bucharest and other cities in Romania, as well as abroad.

In Rosia Montana, however, the mayors of 40 villages in the area have mobilised the local population, asking senators and deputies to vote for the resumption of mining in an area faced with serious unemployment.

The law of homeless dogs is another topic on Parliament’s agenda this week and one that has been dividing Romanian society into those in favour and those who oppose euthanasia as a solution to deal with stray dogs.

The violent death of a 4-year-old child who was killed by a pack of homeless dogs near a park in Bucharest has mobilised the authorities, who called on Parliament to take a decision.

Moreover, a referendum on the issue will be held on the 6th of October in Bucharest, a city currently home to around 65,000 stray dogs.