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Romanian Clashes?
Roemenië, Europa, Imf, Protesten, Raed Arafat, Onder-staatssecretaris voor Volksgezondheid -

Romanian Clashes?

zaterdag 21 januari 2012 01:00
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The catatonic state of Romanian civil society has been shaken by the resignation of Raed Arafat, from the position of Under-Secretary of State for Health. This came as a response to the cuts, in accordance with the IMF policies, in the public health-care system, but also because of offensive accusation brought to him by the president Traian Basescu. A part of the population disobeyed civil regulations and occupied Piata Universitatii, the main square of Bucharest. From the start, the protest was directed towards neoliberal measurements dictated by the International Monetary Fund, which where harshly applied by the right-wing government. Remarks concerning national identity were lacking in the claims of the protesters, but this did not stopped politicians to address racist comments, Raed Arafat being a physician of Palestinian origins.
The clashes between the protesters and the authorities were amplified, the motives behind this being the violent manoeuvres of dispersing the people from the square. However, the media was constructing a discourse of separation, distinguishing two groups: the peaceful protesters from the square (also called rightful citizens, civilised, etc) and the hooligans that started the violences (identified as the football supporters, later called even primitives, insane, and anarchists). While the formers were used to legitimate anti-Basescu discourses, and the claim for anticipated elections, the latter were considered political puppets in the hands of supporter’s leaders affiliated politically with some of the opposition parties. The articulation of an anti-capitalist discourse was shadowed. But this distinction cannot be made. Both groups were heterogeneous, and at the same time connected ideologically, even though it can be stated that football supporters played an important role, as they are the solely experienced with authority confrontations of this sort, since a proper anarchist, or self-organized radical movement, is not active in the public sphere at this time.
As days go by, the protests are starting to dim. Also, the coagulation of a nationalist based protest imaginary is affecting the reasons for which the movement ignited, and libertarian political and economical claims are ignored because they appear contradictory. The critical media is weak and has no efficient counter-power. It would seem reasonable for all genre of self-organized movements from across Europe to join the cause. It is a struggle against capitalism and state oppression. It is an international fight which needs to be supported by every radical movement regardless of ideological nuances.

Bron :

Stefan Voicu
 

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