Minister Blaga resigns after failure to control police protest
Romania’s Minister of the Interior Vasile Blaga has resigned after failing to stop a spontaneous protest by uniformed policemen in front of the President’s official home in Cotroceni, Bucharest
October 2010 - From the Print Edition
“Policemen have a right to protest, but in a strictly legal manner,” Blaga stated. “Those who have made an error will be held responsible.”
On 24 September a few hundred policeman gathered outside Cotroceni Palace, some of whom were understood to be armed, to protest against Government cuts to law enforcement.
“This illegal march by policemen undermined the authority of the state,” said Romania’s President Traian Basescu.
Following the protest, the President and the Prime Minister Emil Boc relinquished their police escorts in disgust.
As we went to press, police unions were planning to begin further protests for an unlimited period through October. “If the president does not need the Internal Ministry, we also want to renounce the President,” said president of the policemen’s union (SNPPC) Marin Gruia.
Blaga was responsible for ensuring that Romania fulfilled the security criteria for entering into the Schengen Area in April 2011.
Democratic Liberal (PDL) Senator Constantin Traian Igas has taken over to head the Ministry. The Arad-based politician has been president of the Regulatory Commission in the Senate.