The witches of Romania, a nation where people take their superstitions seriously, are ticked off at the government for making them pay taxes. And they intend to do something about it.

 

Under a new law, witches will now have to pay 16% income tax and contribute towards health and pension programs, just like other self-employed Romanians.

 

Witches, however, say the law is ridiculous, given how little most of them earn. A dozen witches plan to put a hex on government officials “so evil will befall them.” Astrologers, embalmers and driving instructors are also covered by the new law, although it is unclear what form of protest they might employ.

 

It is also not known if President Traian Băsescu, who’s been known to wear purple clothes in order to ward off evil, has been swayed by the threats. After Băsescu won reelection in December 2009, his opponent, Mircea Geoană, accused him of employing a parapsychologist to direct a “negative energy attack” against Geoană prior to a critical televised debate.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Curses! Romania's Witches Forced to Pay Income Tax (by Alison Mutler, Associated Press)

Loser of Romanian Election Claims He was Defeated by Negative Energy Waves (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)