Government resigns after thousands protest over deadly nightclub fire

Romanian prime minister Victor Ponta announced the resignation of his government on Wednesday following huge protests in the wake of a nightclub fire that killed more than 30 people. “I’m handing in my mandate, I’m resigning, and implicitly my government too,” Mr Ponta said in a statement. “I hope handing in my and my government’s mandate will satisfy the demands of protesters.” He said the government would stay on until a new one was in place.

I am obliged to take note of the legitimate grievances which exist in society.

Prime minister Victor Ponta

The fire at the Colectiv in Bucharest broke out during a heavy-metal concert in the basement club when a spark ignited foam decor, sending panicked people stampeding for the single exit. The death toll stands at 32, with some 130 still hospitalized, dozens of them in serious or critical condition. Thousands took to the streets on Tuesday night in a spontaneous protest. They shouted “Shame on you!” and “Assassins!” and waved Romanian flags. President Klaus Iohannis will name a prime minister to form a new government, which needs to be approved by parliament. If this fails twice, elections will be called. The mayor of the district where the nightclub is located, Cristian Popescu Piedone, also resigned on Wednesday, saying he was morally guilty over the fire.

This is a victory of the street. It is a lesson for all politicians

Opposition leader Catalin Predoiu

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