Romanian shepards and farmers clash with police

Riot police clashed with about 2,000 Romanian shepherds and farmers who gathered in Bucharest to protest an EU-imposed extension of a live sheep export ban aimed at halting a contagious small ruminant disease. Dozens were injured, several hospitalised and 26 people detained after violence erupted outside the government building.

By AI NewsroomPublished about 8 hours agoUpdated about 8 hours ago0 views

Romanian shepards and farmers clash with police

Why It Matters

The demonstration highlights rising tensions over trade restrictions tied to animal disease control and shows how agricultural protests in Romania are increasingly amplified by far-right actors amid an ongoing political and economic crisis. The unrest adds pressure to a government already weakened by a no-confidence vote and high inflation.

Key Facts

Number of protesters: About 2,000 people
Location: Outside the Romanian government building, Bucharest
Reason for protest: Against extension of EU ban on live sheep exports due to small ruminant plague
Detained: 26 people
Injured or required medical attention: 24 demonstrators and police officers; 4 hospitalised; some with broken bones and effects of tear gas},{

Riot police confronted shepherds and farmers who had gathered in Bucharest to oppose the European Union's decision to extend a ban on live sheep exports imposed to control a highly contagious small ruminant disease. Violence broke out in front of the government building when a faction of demonstrators began throwing rocks, metal barriers and other objects at law enforcement, prompting police to use tear gas to try to disperse the crowd.

Authorities said 26 people were detained during the unrest. Medical teams treated 24 people, including both protesters and police officers; several suffered broken bones or the effects of tear gas and four were taken to hospital. Organisers had brought banners demanding the resignation of the president and prime minister.

The rally was organised by farmer and shepherd groups and drew visible support from far-right forces. Protesters chanted the name of Calin Georgescu, a former presidential candidate who is currently on trial over actions linked to the annulment of the 2024 presidential elections. Supporters of Georgescu promoted the demonstration on social media, and George Simion, leader of the main far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), posted that his party stood with the farmers while urging demonstrations to remain peaceful.

Both the government and opposition called for calm after the clashes. The government said the protest ‘‘degenerated into regrettable acts of violence’’ and President Nicusor Dan condemned attempts to turn a legitimate demonstration into street fighting. The protest comes amid wider economic and political strain in Romania: the country has the highest inflation in the EU, a pro-European government that introduced austerity measures to address a large budget deficit was brought down in a no-confidence vote in May, and a fractured parliament has not confirmed a successor. The live-export ban is currently set to run until the end of 2026.