Romanian Protester Sets Himself on Fire

Another protester threatens suicide over poor living conditions
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 8, 2011 2:13 PM CDT
Romanian Protester Sets Himself on Fire
A man shouts anti government slogans demanding the resignation of the government during a protest outside the Romanian parliament building in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, March 16, 2011.   (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A retired Romanian set himself on fire and another man threatened to commit suicide outside the presidential palace in what appeared to be protests over living conditions. The 59-year-old was hospitalized with burns in stabile condition. He shouted a slogan against the president before setting himself on fire, reports the Jurnalul National. Another man climbed an electric pylon outside the palace and for six hours threatened to commit suicide, but climbed down after speaking to police. The 27-year-old said he could not afford to pay his rent.

Romania has imposed harsh austerity measures after it took a $28 billion loan from financial institutions in 2009. (Click to see another Romanian protester who jumped from a parliament balcony.)

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