Religious freedom is generally respected, though some Protestant denominations have complained of harassment by local-level officials. The Greek Catholic Church of the Byzantine Rite has had difficulties in regaining property seized under the Communists. The constitution provides for freedom of assembly, and this right is respected by the government. There were several mass demonstrations and strikes in 1998. In May 1996, Law 27 On Political Parties required a political party to have at least 10,000 members before it could be registered, reducing the number of parties from 200 to about 50.
Workers have the right to form unions and strike.
The Fratia National Trade Union Confederation claims 3.7 million members. The Alfa Workers Confederation claims one million members. There were several major strikes and job actions in 1998. Miners in the Jiu Valley, electrical workers, university students, and teachers held strikes. To diminish the politicization of the process, a 1997 revision of the law called for the Minister of Justice not parliament to appoint the members of the Higher Council.