https://theworldwatch.com/tags/ilie-bolojan/ Wed 16 Sep 2026 03:07:19 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1619743/romanian-farmers-clash-with-police-in-bucharest/
What began as a farmers’ and shepherds’ protest outside the Romanian Government turned into violent clashes with police. Thousands came to Piața Victoriei demanding action over restrictions on sheep and goat exports, low agricultural prices — including milk — soaring costs such as diesel, and cuts or reductions in agricultural support. Many say they are on the brink of bankruptcy, while younger generations no longer see farming or shepherding as a viable future. Protesters say they will not leave until concrete solutions are offered. They are demanding direct talks with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and action from Agriculture Minister Tánczos Barna, whose government has been negotiating with Brussels over reopening exports. The protest also took on a political dimension. Some participants openly supported Călin Georgescu (the far-right, pro-Russian presidential candidate who unexpectedly won the first round of Romania's 2024 presidential election; Romania's Constitutional Court annulled the election days before the scheduled runoff, citing electoral irregularities and alleged foreign interference). However, there is no established evidence that Georgescu supporters as a group initiated the violence. Farmers' representatives have distanced themselves from those who escalated the confrontation. This 8-minute video captures part of the confrontation — as an economic protest over the future of Romanian farming spills into the streets of Bucharest. ]]> Tue 15 Sep 2026 22:09:04 +0200 https://theworldwatch.com/videos/1619743/romanian-farmers-clash-with-police-in-bucharest/