Ilie Bolojan condemns the violence at the shepherds’ protest in Victory Square: “Nothing can excuse those who incite violence”

Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan condemned the violence that broke out Tuesday evening at the shepherds’ protest in Victory Square and said that peaceful demonstrations are a natural expression of democracy. He made the statement in a message published on Facebook, amid tensions caused by Romania’s overlapping social crises.

Bolojan warned that nothing can excuse those who hijack protests and incite violence. The interim prime minister said that attempts to draw Romania into a dangerous destabilization could divide society, and he called for patience, wisdom, and trust.

The PNL leader said that he and the Government are acting “in good faith and responsibly” to help Romania overcome this period. The executive maintains that it is listening to society’s demands and responding concretely, to the extent possible and in the country’s interest.

The message was issued after the shepherds’ protest in the capital escalated into clashes with gendarmes. Law enforcement forces used tear gas repeatedly. Dozens of people received medical care, including eight gendarmes, while four people were taken to hospital. Dozens of other protesters were removed from the crowd and taken to police stations.