Feb 5, 2017:
Yesterday, the Romanian government voted to withdraw the decree it announced on February 1.
Today as many as 500,000 people protested in the streets of Romania with an estimated 250,000 of those in the capital city of Bucharest.
People are still protesting because they don't trust the new government.
Romania Protests Simmer Despite Leaders' Promises to Back Down | The New York Times
Feb 1, 2017:
Tens of thousands of people protested in over 50 cites and towns in Romania in response to a corruption decree (emergency ordinance) issued last night by the Romanian government.
The decree would, among other things, decriminalize abuse-of-power offenses (corruption) in which the sums involved are less than $48,000.
The current leftist Social Democrat-led government of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, which won back power in a December 2016 election, is responsible for issuing the decree.
If enforced, the decree would end the current trial of the Social Democrat party leader Liviu Dragnea who is on trial for corruption. Because anti-corruption prosecutors are currently investigating over 2,000 abuse-of-power cases, many other politicians from all parties stand to benefit from the decree as well. Over the past several years, hundreds of government officials in Romania have been imprisoned in relation to abuse of office.
The Romanian government said the decree was issued to help ease overcrowded conditions in prisons, but many people believe the real purpose is to help convicted politicians and those who are now under investigation escape justice.
The Romanian president, Klaus Iohannis, opposes the decree.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and First Vice-President Frans Timmermans issued a joint statement entitled "Joint Statement of President Juncker and First Vice-President Timmermans on the fight against corruption in Romania" saying:
The fight against corruption needs to be advanced, not undone. We are following the latest developments in Romania with great concern.
Romanians rally in biggest anti-corruption protest in decades | Reuters
Protesters in Romania denounce plan to decriminalise misconduct offences | The Guardian
EU Commission warns Romania against 'backtracking' on corruption | Euronews
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