Romanian government gives in

The Romanian undersecretary Raed Arafat, who was forced to resign under pressure from the Romanian President Traian Băsescu, on Tuesday announced his intention of complying with the government's wishes and returning to his post. The resignation of the popular health ministry official had triggered last week's protests. But his return won't be enough to calm the demonstrators, the daily Adevărul believes: "Raed Arafat rose like a meteor last week. No one in Romania was more popular or well known. Now he has decided to return to the post of undersecretary. ... Băsescu, on the other hand, had the most difficult week since he took office. Arafat's return provides the opportunity to take another shot at the healthcare reform. But it won't end the protests on the streets because by now people want something entirely different. The protest has become highly politicised. And there can only be political solutions to such a protest. Arafat's extraordinary week has come to an end, but for the president difficult weeks still lie ahead."

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