Published October 9, 2012 | By Natalie White

The 2008 global recession provided a major setback to the Romanian economy, spurring economic and political turmoil. Romania has borrowed heavily from the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and World Bank to help survive the recession. With the new debt adding up to nearly €20 billion, severe austerity measures were put in place during 2010. Protests followed, as public sector workers experienced substantial wage cuts. With economic stagnation failing to abate, protests intensified in 2012 involving clashes with police. The civil unrest has divided the country politically with the president and prime minister becoming locked in political conflict. Romanians find common ground in their general mistrust of political and business leaders, as corruption and organized crime is endemic.