Student protests in several university centers in Romania. "Do you know the joke about the statue? The statue takes everything."

Students from various cities, including Alba Iulia and Timișoara, organized protests to highlight recent measures that have reduced support for them and to emphasize the insufficient allocation of funds for education, estimated at 3.03% of GDP in the 2026 budget proposal.

Participants carried banners with critical messages, such as "Small budget for education, big speeches" and "Scholarship is not a bonus, it's a necessity." One student mentioned that legislative changes have affected their rights, including scholarships and free transportation, which could lead to an increase in school dropouts.

Young people are calling for a return to the regulations from 2025, when scholarships were granted throughout the year and train travel was free on all routes.