2012 Romanian protests

The 2012 Romanian protests were a series of protests and civil manifestations triggered by the introduction of new health reform legislation. In particular, President Traian Basescu criticized the Deputy Minister of Health, Raed Arafat, on a Romanian television broadcast. The protests became violent, with both protesters and members of the Gendarmerie sustaining injuries during their clashes. On the morning of 5 February 2012, Prime Minister Emil Boc announced his resignation because of the protests. He said that his decision would,

"Release the tension in the country's political and social situation."

Protests, on a lesser scale, continued in the University Square in Bucharest. The protestors demanded the President's resignation and early general elections. There were ongoing protests in Romania in subsequent months over a variety of disagreements.