分类： society

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.

A decade has passed since the harrowing Paris attacks of November 13, 2015, yet the scars remain deeply etched in the lives of survivors. As France prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed over 130 lives and left more than 400 injured, survivors continue to wrestle with the enduring trauma. Arthur Denouveaux, a 39-year-old survivor and president of the victims’ association Life for Paris, reflects on the emotional toll of the anniversary. ‘The 10th anniversary is here, and emotions and tension are everywhere for us survivors,’ he shared. ‘It shields us from the world in a way, because we’re so focused on the grief and on remembering those who lost their lives.’ The coordinated attacks, carried out by nine Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers, targeted multiple locations across Paris, including the Stade de France, cafes, and the Bataclan concert hall, marking the deadliest violence in France since World War II. Denouveaux, who was at the Bataclan during the Eagles of Death Metal concert, vividly recalls the chaos and horror of that night. ‘I remember crawling on top of bodies,’ he recounted. ‘I believe most of the people were pretending to be dead, but still, I remember a few faces or at least a few facial expressions of people who were necessarily dead.’ The aftermath of the attacks left survivors grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Denouveaux, a father of three, spent a year in intensive therapy and medication to overcome the most critical phases of PTSD. ‘But since 2017, I’ve had no panic attacks,’ he said. ‘Yet, I’m very cautious because I’m not sure you heal from PTSD.’ To honor the victims, France will hold a solemn ceremony at a newly created memorial garden near Paris City Hall, attended by President Emmanuel Macron, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, survivors, and families of the victims. The garden, designed with input from survivors and relatives, features steles engraved with the names of the victims. ‘The project aims to create a place that remembers the dead but also a place of life, a place that is beautiful and serene,’ Denouveaux explained. The French soccer federation will also pay tribute to the victims during a World Cup qualifier match between France and Ukraine at the Parc des Princes, preceded by a minute of silence. The attacks not only traumatized individuals but also shook the nation’s sense of security. Survivors like Denouveaux have had to navigate a new path in life, mourning not only the lives lost but also the person they once were. ‘When you survive a terrorist attack, you become disconnected from the rest of the world,’ he said. ‘There are three mourning phases: the mourning for those who died, the mourning for the person you were, and the mourning of the image people have of you.’ The 2021-2022 trial of Salah Abdeslam, the lone surviving attacker, and 19 other accomplices brought some closure, with Abdeslam sentenced to life without parole. Yet, for survivors, the journey toward healing remains ongoing. ‘Ten years later, when I tell someone who doesn’t know: ‘Well, I was at the Bataclan,’ the person’s perception of me changes immediately,’ Denouveaux noted. ‘There’s the emotion they felt that day, but also the fear of wondering, ‘Is he OK? Can I talk to him about it? How do we do that?’ And that, of course, puts you out of phase.’