Truck drivers and farmers protested again across Romania on Monday after negotiations with the coalition government over tax cuts, higher subsidies and other demands failed to reach an agreement.
Long convoys of trucks and tractors disrupted traffic on the outskirts of the capital Bucharest and other cities in the European Union. The demonstrations continued for six consecutive days.
Farmers are demanding faster subsidy payments, compensation for losses from imports from neighboring Ukraine, and increased state subsidies for fuel costs. Truck drivers are demanding lower taxes and insurance premiums and are frustrated by long wait times at the border.
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Meetings between demonstrators and the agriculture and transport ministries were held over the weekend, but no agreement was reached. Demonstrators on Saturday also caused a brief blockade at the border with Ukraine in the northeast, Ukraine's border authorities said on Telegram.
On Monday, January 15, 2024, a convoy of truck drivers heading to Bucharest was photographed on a road in Ahmati, Romania. (AP Photo/Andrea Alexandre)
On Monday, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolak called for the “urgent drafting” of a bill to resolve protesters' grievances.
“We continue to negotiate in good faith with the protesters. We are fully open to dialogue,” Ciolak said at a meeting with ministers involved in negotiations with the protesters, according to a statement released by the prime minister's office. ” he said.
The Agricultural Cooperation Alliance sent a letter to the Agriculture Ministry on Monday listing 15 demands ahead of a meeting between the parties scheduled for later that day.
If the ministry fails to meet a series of deadlines, the alliance will “urgently begin” measures to escalate the protests, the document said.
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Romania's National Traffic Police advised drivers to avoid areas where protests are taking place to ease traffic flow.
