Romania: Man Sets Himself on Fire in Protest

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) -- A 59-year-old retiree has set himself on fire and another man threatened to commit suicide outside the presidential palace in what appeared to be protests over living conditions in Romania.

An ambulance service spokesman Bogdan Oprita said the retiree was hospitalized Wednesday with burns but he was in stabile condition. Jurnalul National daily reported that he shouted a slogan against the president before setting himself on fire.

Another man climbed an electric pylon outside the presidential palace and for six hours threatened to commit suicide. He climbed down after speaking to policemen. The 27-year-old man 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.