Thousands of farmers and transporters have been protesting since January 10 against the increase in the cost of fuel, taxes and insurance. The level of tension has generated divergences within the Government just at the beginning of a marathon electoral year.

Family doctors and health center staff have joined this group, at the same time as workers in rural town halls are threatening to go on strike in February. “The authorities are turning a blind eye to cheap grain imports from Ukraine and the price of diesel continues to rise,” insists Cezar, a 48-year-old farmer from Suceava, north from Romania.