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Romania protesters await corruption decree repeal Romania government scraps corruption decree after protests
(about 9 hours later)
Romania's government is to hold an urgent meeting to scrap a decree that would have shielded many politicians from prosecution for corruption. Romania's government has scrapped a controversial decree that would have shielded many politicians from prosecution for corruption, ministerial sources say.
The decree triggered the largest street protests in the country since the fall of communism in 1989. The cabinet held an emergency meeting on the issue Sunday, following days of large street protests.
Bowing to pressure, PM Sorin Grindeanu said on Sunday: "I do not want to divide Romania." PM Sorin Grindeanu said on Saturday: "I do not want to divide Romania."
Tens of thousands of protesters in Bucharest cheered the move, but vowed to keep the pressure on the cabinet. Protesters have vowed to keep the pressure on the cabinet, with some demanding the entire government quits.
They said they would continue their rallies until the decree - which was passed on Tuesday and was due to come into effect on 10 February - was actually repealed. The decree was passed on Tuesday and was due to come into effect on 10 February.
Some protesters are still demanding the resignation of the entire government. The protests have been the country's largest since the fall of communism in 1989.
EU warning Statement due
Mr Grindeanu, from the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), said he "heard and saw many opinions", including from "the voice of the street". Before the meeting, Mr Grindeanu, from the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), said he "heard and saw many opinions", including from "the voice of the street".
He said that parliament would now debate a new corruption law. However, a planned conference to announce the shelving of the plans was called off, with sources saying an official statement would be released soon.
Justice Minister Florin Iordache would take responsibility for the poor communication and confusion around the controversial measure, he added.
The decree would have decriminalised abuse of power offences where sums of less than €44,000 (£38,000; $47,500) were involved.The decree would have decriminalised abuse of power offences where sums of less than €44,000 (£38,000; $47,500) were involved.
One immediate beneficiary would have been Liviu Dragnea, who leads the PSD and faces charges of defrauding the state of €24,000.One immediate beneficiary would have been Liviu Dragnea, who leads the PSD and faces charges of defrauding the state of €24,000.
The government had earlier argued that the changes were needed to reduce prison overcrowding and align certain laws with the constitution.The government had earlier argued that the changes were needed to reduce prison overcrowding and align certain laws with the constitution.
But critics saw it as a way for the PSD to absolve officials convicted or accused of corruption.But critics saw it as a way for the PSD to absolve officials convicted or accused of corruption.
The EU had warned Romania against undoing its progress against corruption.
The leftist government only returned to power in December after protests forced its last leader to step down in October 2015.