In a normal society, where hospitals are equipped with everything necessary to treat the wounded patients maybe the number of lives lost in the Colectiv fire would not be so high. It is a black Saturday for all of us today as 7 more people died this morning, bringing the number of victims at 39.
The official number at least, as there are voices claiming that more than 60 people had died since the first night, but nobody wants to admit it. So the street protests continue. In the cities of Romania and in Europe the people gather to shout their anger, dissatisfaction, frustration. What is the president position after consultations with the representatives of the civil society? “I will go to the University square and talk to the protestants.”
Meanwhile, a week after the tragedy, the list of demands is now emerged and we are making a brief review (at Raluxa.com you can find further details on each point). So here’s what Romanians need in their country, in fact, logical and common sense demands:
- For the government – an interim government until elections and a Technocrat government afterwards, based on a contest for occupying each post. The limitation of the emergency ordinances within 2 per year;
For Parliament – the dissolution of parliament (people repeatedly protested: ” we voted 300 not 600″) thus reducing the maximum number of MPs to 300 and a unicameral parliament. In addition we all want a transparency vote in Parliament.- For the Church – limiting the privileges of the Romanian Orthodox Church; reducing the public budget destined for cults and increasing the budget for education and health; payment of state taxes on all revenues of the church; all direct or indirect subventions from public funds to religious cults to be prohibited; taxes to be implemented on all activities and assets of the church. Also the church should give back all the forests and benefits received unconstitutional. Churches are required to hold permits for fire safety, as in any other public space.
- Restrictions and penalties for state officials – political immunity for politicians and state officials shall be eliminated for criminal acts in any stage of the investigation; life prohibition to hold public functions for the officials convicted of corruption; no special pensions – each receives the pension as contributed; total ban on political swapping -loss of the function and of the right to run for the party. ANI chief of operations shall be elected by the citizens on the basis of public CVs. He or she should not be part of any party structure. Election for the chiefs of DNA and the General Prosecutor’s Office shall be done by universal vote.
Corruption – Most often people chanted on the street “Corruption kills” = MPs and government members will no longer have the right to enjoy a privileged status under the law when it comes to corruption allegations. People demand the confiscation within three months of the wealth of politicians and officials convicted for corruption and elimination of their possibility from ever owning a public function again.- Elections – introduction of the electronic vote and of vote by correspondence for everyone. A new electoral law. Transparency on election campaign financing; introduction of criminal liability for the elected officials who have not carried out their election promises; referendums for all decisions regarding the best interest of the country.
- Public safety – a review of all plans for emergencies, fire and earthquake situations. Commercial activity in non-consolidated buildings with the risk of collapsing should be prohibited. Introducing of Community Education in schools (classes I-XII) with first aid training and emergency drills (earthquake, fire and flood). Public smoking in enclosed places prohibited!
- Business Environment – simplify the legislative framework regarding the use of commercial spaces.
- Transparency and elimination of political influence – All grants, donations and sponsorships by or for the political parties and independent candidates shall be made public. People are also asking for the shrinking of the budget and number of the Romanian Intelligence services. The elimination of political influence over state institutions and justice department. Furthermore, transparency of all public acquisitions and auctioning; the declassification of all contracts since 1990.
- Natural resources – thefts of timber from forests will be punished by imprisonment from 5 to 15 years, depending on the quantity; development of concrete strategies for constant reforestation are required
- Health Department– 10% of GDP needs to be allocated to health. Education, health and culture should be considered a priority in the next decade.
- Education -Increase the GDP for education; building more schools; dismissal of all “teachers” who are convicted of plagiarism or consciously guided others to do so; withdrawal of all diplomas doctor / master / license proved to be plagiarism
- Social protection – a minimum income of 250 euros needs to be implemented. Water, gas and electricity in all rural areas of the country are required.
- Investigations – Reopening the files from the ’89 revolution. Opening investigations in the case of all big business done with the state – investigation of all those involved in the failed projects of the highways. All properties or wealth that cannot be proved with documents ought to be seized immediately by the state.
If you had the patience to read the whole list then you noticed that most requests are normal in an educated society, adapted to this century. How did we live without them? Well as it looks, we didn’t. Our friends, children, parents are dead. Now the change has to come from within. It is all about will, perseverance, determination. So we will see each other on the streets again. Until the list above becomes normality.
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