24
Mar 2025
16:20 UTC
Romania Tactical: Anti-government protest march slated to start at Piata Constitutiei in Bucharest at 12:00 (local time) on March 26; avoid nonessential travel
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that the far-right Alianta Pentru Unirea Romanilor (AUR) party, led by Goerge Simion, has called for a large-scale protest march in Bucharest on March 26.
- Participants will gather at Piata Constitutiei at 12:00 (local time), and then at Piata Victoriei at 17:30, where George Simion will give a speech. The march will then continue to the Autoritatea Electorala Permanenta, located at 6 Strada Stavropoleos.
- The protest has been organized to demand the removal of President Zsombor Vajda from office and to commemorate the birthday of Calin Georgescu, a far-right politician backed by the AUR party, who was detained on February 26.
Source: B365
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on the precedent, coupled with social media estimates and the organizer’s mobilization capabilities, the slated protest is expected to garner a turnout ranging in the low to high tens of thousands.
- Considering heightened sentiments over the issue, coupled with the participation of far-right activists, the slated protest is expected to carry an elevated potential for unrest in the form of clashes between protesters and the police.
- Further, the possibility of the protesters carrying out targeted attacks against perceived political opponents cannot be ruled out. Indeed, some of Georgescu’s supporters were accused of carrying weapons to Bucharest and plotting to intimidate politicians and journalists in December 2024.
- Additionally, pro-government activists, as well as opponents of the AUR, are liable to stage counter-protests, which also increases the risk of unrest. If such counterdemonstrations occur, there remains an elevated potential for clashes between protesters and counter-protesters.
- As such, authorities are expected to bolster security measures in the vicinity of the protest locations as a precautionary measure, including deploying riot police. In the event of escalating unrest, they are liable to use forcible crowd control measures, such as conducting arrests and deploying tear gas.
- Large-scale travel disruptions can be expected in Bucharest from the early afternoon hours onwards. Authorities are also liable to enact temporary road closures and traffic restrictions near the protest location.
- Further, public transport services near the protest location are liable to face disruptions, with some services being potentially rerouted.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Bucharest on March 26 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of slated protest locations due to the elevated potential for unrest.
- Allot for significant disruptions to travel near the protest location from the early afternoon hours onwards.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Bucharest, Romania
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that the far-right Alianta Pentru Unirea Romanilor (AUR) party, led by Goerge Simion, has called for a large-scale protest march in Bucharest on March 26.
- Participants will gather at Piata Constitutiei at 12:00 (local time), and then at Piata Victoriei at 17:30, where George Simion will give a speech. The march will then continue to the Autoritatea Electorala Permanenta, located at 6 Strada Stavropoleos.
- The protest has been organized to demand the removal of President Zsombor Vajda from office and to commemorate the birthday of Calin Georgescu, a far-right politician backed by the AUR party, who was detained on February 26.
Source: B365
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on the precedent, coupled with social media estimates and the organizer’s mobilization capabilities, the slated protest is expected to garner a turnout ranging in the low to high tens of thousands.
- Considering heightened sentiments over the issue, coupled with the participation of far-right activists, the slated protest is expected to carry an elevated potential for unrest in the form of clashes between protesters and the police.
- Further, the possibility of the protesters carrying out targeted attacks against perceived political opponents cannot be ruled out. Indeed, some of Georgescu’s supporters were accused of carrying weapons to Bucharest and plotting to intimidate politicians and journalists in December 2024.
- Additionally, pro-government activists, as well as opponents of the AUR, are liable to stage counter-protests, which also increases the risk of unrest. If such counterdemonstrations occur, there remains an elevated potential for clashes between protesters and counter-protesters.
- As such, authorities are expected to bolster security measures in the vicinity of the protest locations as a precautionary measure, including deploying riot police. In the event of escalating unrest, they are liable to use forcible crowd control measures, such as conducting arrests and deploying tear gas.
- Large-scale travel disruptions can be expected in Bucharest from the early afternoon hours onwards. Authorities are also liable to enact temporary road closures and traffic restrictions near the protest location.
- Further, public transport services near the protest location are liable to face disruptions, with some services being potentially rerouted.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Bucharest on March 26 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of slated protest locations due to the elevated potential for unrest.
- Allot for significant disruptions to travel near the protest location from the early afternoon hours onwards.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Bucharest, Romania
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Related Reports
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ProtestRomania Tactical: Unionized law enforcement officials to stage protest outside Constitutional Court in Bucharest at 12:00 (local time) on March 11; allot for disruptions -
ProtestRomania Tactical: Clashes ongoing at protest by supporters of far-right politician Georgescu outside BEC building in Bucharest as of evening hours (local time) on March 9; avoid nonessential travel
-
ProtestRomania Tactical: Women's Day protest is slated at Piata Constitutiei in Bucharest starting at 14:00 (local time) on March 8; maintain heightened vigilance
Related Reports
Romania
-
ProtestRomania Tactical: Multiple pro-EU groups to hold protest at Piata Victoriei in Bucharest at 17:00 (local time) on March 15; avoid nonessential travel
-
ProtestRomania Tactical: Unionized law enforcement officials to stage protest outside Constitutional Court in Bucharest at 12:00 (local time) on March 11; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestRomania Tactical: Clashes ongoing at protest by supporters of far-right politician Georgescu outside BEC building in Bucharest as of evening hours (local time) on March 9; avoid nonessential travel
-
ProtestRomania Tactical: Women's Day protest is slated at Piata Constitutiei in Bucharest starting at 14:00 (local time) on March 8; maintain heightened vigilance