Romanian Prime Minister resigns in wake of club fire

Posted by on November 4, 2015

pontaNothing’s going to bring  back the 32 people (and counting) that perished in Friday’s tragic fire at the Colectiv rock club in Bucharest, Romania. However, as the nation continues to deal with the aftermath, many took to the streets to protest the shoddy safety standards not just at the club, but nationwide. Thousands marched in protest, blaming corruption and calling for some, including Prime Minister Victor Ponta, to resign. In fact, Ponta did just that, resigning his position. Here’s what his statement says:

“I’m handing in my mandate, I’m resigning, and implicitly my government too. I am obliged to take note of the legitimate grievances which exist in society. I hope handing in my and my government’s mandate will satisfy the demands of protesters.

“I assume the moral blame. As for the legal blame, I will leave it to justice to pronounce.”

It should be noted that Ponta became the first sitting Romanian prime minister to go on trial for corruption, so it’s not like the guy had a 100% approval rating before the fire. But 20,000 people protesting the fire, which still has 65 of the 130 hospitalized in critical condition, sent a message to him and his regime. There’s no word on the condition of Goodbye to Gravity’s singer. The fire was started during their record release show when indoor pyrotechnics ignited foam insulation, sending 400 stampeding towards the club’s exit.

 

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