Romania: Anti-government protest scheduled in Bucharest Feb. 4 /update 1

Event

An anti-government protest is planned to take place in Bucharest on Sunday, February 4. Over 450 people are expected to participate in the protest, which is scheduled to begin at 18:00 (local time) at Piața Victoriei (Victory Square) and conclude at approximately 21:00; the protest has been organized to protest recent judicial reforms and proposed amendments to the country's criminal codes vis-à-vis corruption. Heightened security measures and consequent transportation disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the protest. Additional related demonstrations are possible in the coming weeks.

Context

Sunday's demonstration is being held to denounce judicial reforms proposed by the ruling coalition of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Liberal-Democrat Alliance (ALDE). Protests first erupted in Bucharest and other Romanian cities on December 10, 2017, against proposed reforms - recently ratified - that critics claim limit judicial independence. Some 10,000 people participated in the protests in Bucharest; an additional 10,000 people protested in other cities, including Cluj, Galati, Brasov, and Constanta. Subsequent protests have occurred nationwide throughout January 2018. Skirmishes between demonstrators and security forces recently took place on January 20 in a related protest in Bucharest.

Public outrage broke out in February 2017 after the government ratified an emergency decree allowing certain corruption offenses to be decriminalized. This sparked the biggest protests seen in the country since the fall of communism in 1989. At least half a million Romanians took to the streets, forcing the government to eventually repeal the ordinance and the justice minister to resign. Related protests have continued on a regular basis since February 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Bucharest are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Anticipate transportation disruptions near the planned protest.