After most of a month of mostly peaceful protests, the people of Romania have gotten one of their demands, the resignation of Prime Minister Emil Boc. Their other demands include that President Traian Basescu also resign, and that new elections occur. Basescu's government has been unpopular since taking power in 2004. They opposition has gained in strength since 2009 when an agreement was signed with the European Union, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank for a loan of $27.5 billion. Part of the agreement was reducing wages by twenty five percent and increased taxes. The protests began over austerity moves made by the government, that were also a requirement of the loan.
Because of the austerity measures, many Romanians have been unable to find work, seeking employment in other countries. The measures have broken up the country's society, with too many leaving families behind and sending what money they can back to them. Also struck by the measures were pensions, leaving many retirees financially stranded. The Romanian economy has been all but crippled by them, with no change for the better really in sight.
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