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Emergency call as Romania austerity protests escalate | Emergency call as Romania austerity protests escalate |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Romania's government has called an emergency meeting after growing violent protests against austerity cuts. | Romania's government has called an emergency meeting after growing violent protests against austerity cuts. |
It comes as dozens of people were injured for the second day running in clashes between demonstrators and riot police in the capital Bucharest. | It comes as dozens of people were injured for the second day running in clashes between demonstrators and riot police in the capital Bucharest. |
The rallies in Romania began four days ago to support an official who had quit in protest against health care reforms. | The rallies in Romania began four days ago to support an official who had quit in protest against health care reforms. |
But the protests have since widened to include general discontent with the government's policies. | But the protests have since widened to include general discontent with the government's policies. |
The alliance of opposition parties has called for early elections. | The alliance of opposition parties has called for early elections. |
Unlikely catalyst | Unlikely catalyst |
On Sunday, at least 13 people were injured in Bucharest near University Square - the venue of Saturday's violence. | On Sunday, at least 13 people were injured in Bucharest near University Square - the venue of Saturday's violence. |
Demonstrators threw stones at riot police, who again responded by firing tear gas. | Demonstrators threw stones at riot police, who again responded by firing tear gas. |
A number of people were arrested, with officials saying that most of the trouble makers were young football fans. | A number of people were arrested, with officials saying that most of the trouble makers were young football fans. |
The unlikely catalyst for the latest demonstrations was the resignation of popular health official Raed Arafat. | The unlikely catalyst for the latest demonstrations was the resignation of popular health official Raed Arafat. |
The Palestinian-born doctor came to Romania in the 1980s, and is a well-known and much-liked figure, due to the practical changes he made to improve the emergency services, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports. | The Palestinian-born doctor came to Romania in the 1980s, and is a well-known and much-liked figure, due to the practical changes he made to improve the emergency services, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports. |
Dr Arafat stepped down as deputy health minister last Tuesday, after a series of public attacks against him by President Traian Basescu, our correspondent adds. | Dr Arafat stepped down as deputy health minister last Tuesday, after a series of public attacks against him by President Traian Basescu, our correspondent adds. |
Dr Arafat opposed government measures to partially privatise Romania's shaky health care system. | Dr Arafat opposed government measures to partially privatise Romania's shaky health care system. |
President Basescu later announced that he was scrapping the unpopular reform, but that has failed to soothe the demonstrators' anger, our correspondent says. | President Basescu later announced that he was scrapping the unpopular reform, but that has failed to soothe the demonstrators' anger, our correspondent says. |
He says they are now calling for Mr Basescu to resign and hold early elections. | He says they are now calling for Mr Basescu to resign and hold early elections. |
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