Romania: truckers protest against insurance hikes

Dozens of trucks and other vehicles have blocked a major square in the Romanian capital to protest planned new insurance rates they say are too expensive.

Police reported traffic congestion around Romania Thursday after truck drivers drove slowly in protest. In Bucharest, protesters parked their vehicles in the central Victory Square outside the government offices, snarling traffic in the city. They honked their horns and yelled "We won't leave!"

The government said Thursday it was not its job to set insurance rates or resolve disputes between transporters and insurers. It told protesters to take their demands to the relevant institutions.

Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos adopted an emergency decree Wednesday to temporarily freeze insurance rates, but protesters did not relent.