In a significant display of public discontent, thousands of Romanians took to the streets of Bucharest on Wednesday, voicing their opposition to the government’s austerity measures and demanding higher wages, tax reductions, and effective strategies to combat inflation. Organized by the National Trade Union Bloc, which represents numerous professional federations, the protest saw demonstrators gather outside government headquarters before marching toward the Palace of Parliament. Participants honked horns, banged drums, and carried placards with messages such as “We want decent salaries!” and “Don’t hit those who save you,” the latter accompanied by an image of an ambulance worker. The rally highlights growing frustration over Romania’s economic challenges, including a budget deficit exceeding 9% in 2024—one of the highest in the European Union. The government has committed to reducing the deficit to 8.4% this year through measures such as tax hikes, public sector wage freezes, and cuts to public spending and administration jobs. Critics argue that these policies disproportionately burden ordinary citizens while failing to address systemic issues. The union bloc condemned the measures, stating, “Workers are once again being sacrificed for their jobs—even though we work harder, we are getting poorer. The impoverishment of the population has become state policy.” Protesters also called for an end to public sector job cuts and stronger efforts to combat tax evasion. Political analyst Cristian Andrei noted that the government’s inability to implement swift and decisive reforms has eroded public trust, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of economic hardships. The ruling coalition, elected earlier this year, had pledged to prioritize deficit reduction and institutional reform, but its approach has sparked widespread criticism and fear of further cuts.