They are the biggest demonstrations Romania has seen this century. Across the country and beyond, tens of thousands have taken to the streets in protests that have included a human chain around Bucharest’s massive parliament, one of the world’s largest buildings, and a rally of several hundred Romanians in London’s Trafalgar Square.

If the demonstrations have gained momentum in part due to economic hardship and especially disillusionment with the political elite, they were initially triggered Von a highly controversial mining project and the ecological and cultural damage that it might cause.

Though environmental issues have for a long time been seen as marginal in Southeastern European politics, it would not be the first time that environmental protests have snowballed into anti-establishment movements in the region....World Politics Review