Romania’s government to withdraw corruption decree
February 4, 2017
Following mass protests, Romanian government backs down on a controversial plan to water down anti-corruption laws.
Tens of thousands of protesters have marched in recent days across Romania [Stoyan Nenov/Reuters]
Romania’s government has said it will withdraw a decree decriminalising minor grant offences, backing down on a controversial plan to water down anti-corruption laws following five days of mass protests across the country.
“Tomorrow (Sunday) we will hold a government meeting to repeal this decree,” Sorin Grindeanu, Romania’s prime minister, told a news conference on Saturday.
“I do not want to divide Romania. It can’t be divided in two.”
The announcement came as tens of thousands of people protested for a fith day against the contentious decree that decriminalises abuse of power offences in which the sums do not exceed 200,000 lei ($48,000).
Al Jazeera’s David Chater, reporting from the demonstration in the capital, Bucharest, said the news about the decree’s withdrawal sparked celebrations among the 70,000 protesters who had gathered in the city centre.
“People power on the street has succeeded in pushing the government into making these concessions,” Chater said.
“There is going to be a massive celebration here, instead of another heated protest.”
