Thousands of people took to the streets in Romania this past weekend, participating in pro-European and pro-democracy rallies held in Bucharest and major cities across the country. The demonstrations took place one week before the second round of the presidential elections, scheduled for May 18.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Europe Day, crowds gathered in Bucharest\u2019s University Square before marching to Victory Square, carrying messages in support of Romania\u2019s place in the European Union. Protesters chanted slogans such as \u201cLet\u2019s get rid of Russia,\u201d and \u201cNo fascists, no legionnaires, no Russia, go Europe,\u201d while organizers emphasized that the country is once again at a turning point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween the two rounds of the presidential elections, our voices must be louder than ever,\u201d said the organizers, as reported by Digi24<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Similar demonstrations were held in cities like Timi\u0219oara, Ia\u0219i, Arad, Cluj, and Boto\u0219ani, highlighting concerns over misinformation and cyberattacks and stressing the role EU regulations play in safeguarding democracy.<\/p>\n On Sunday evening, May 11, Victory Square in Bucharest was once again filled with demonstrators – this time for a rally called \u201cRomania in Light,\u201d organized by independent presidential candidate Nicu\u0219or Dan, the current mayor of Bucharest. He is to face George Simion, the leader of the far-right party AUR, in the second round of the presidential elections.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s event drew thousands of supporters and public figures, including actor Victor Rebengiuc, sociologist Gelu Duminic\u0103, and musician Dan Teodorescu. In his speech, Nicu\u0219or Dan called for national unity and hope, asking Romanians to keep the country on its European path.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n irina.marica@romania-insider.com<\/p>\n