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Romanian government scraps corruption decree as opposition continues Romanian government confirms repeal of corruption decree
(35 minutes later)
Romania scrapped a contentious corruption decree on Sunday, in a climbdown after the biggest mass demonstrations since 1989, but protesters kept up pressure by taking to the streets for a sixth straight day. Romania scrapped a contentious corruption decree on Sunday after a series of mass demonstrations, but protesters kept up the pressure by taking to the streets for a sixth straight day.
As thousands of people gathered in Bucharest and elsewhere, the government announced it had approved a repeal of the decree that would have decriminalised certain corruption offences.As thousands of people gathered in Bucharest and elsewhere, the government announced it had approved a repeal of the decree that would have decriminalised certain corruption offences.
This fulfilled the promise made late on Saturday by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu after a fifth day of demonstrations that were the largest since the ousting of communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu in 1989. This fulfilled the promise made late on Saturday by the prime minister, Sorin Grindeanu, after a fifth day of demonstrations that were the largest since the ousting of the communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu in 1989.
But the announcement didn’t stop demonstrators gathering again on Sunday to make it clear to Grindeanu and his left-wing government, which has been in office only a month, of their continued objection to the decree and that corruption must be rooted out. Demonstrators gathered again on Sunday to underline their continued objection to the decree and make clear to Grindeanu and his left-wing government, which has been in office only a month, that corruption must be rooted out.
“I hope that this is a real repeal … We are going to keep an eye on them to make sure we are not being had,” said protester Daniel, 35. “I hope that this is a real repeal … We are going to keep an eye on them to make sure we are not being had,” said a 35-year-old protester, Daniel.
“Today we are going to break new records,” electrician Florian, 40, told AFP in Bucharest, distributing free pretzels and tea at Victory Square, the epicentre of this week’s protests. “Today we are going to break new records,” an electrician named Florian, 40, told AFP in Bucharest, distributing free pretzels and tea in Victory Square, the centre of this week’s protests.
By mid-afternoon, around a thousand people could be seen gathering in the square and the crowd was expected to swell later with buses arriving from outside the capital. By mid-afternoon, about a thousand people could be seen gathering in the square and the crowd was expected to swell later with buses arriving from outside the capital.
Again they brandished placards, chanted and blew whistles and plastic vuvuzela horns in the national colours of blue, yellow and red.Again they brandished placards, chanted and blew whistles and plastic vuvuzela horns in the national colours of blue, yellow and red.
The decree, passed last Tuesday and due to enter into force on 10 February, was to make abuse of power a crime only punishable by jail if the sums involved exceeded 200,000 lei (£38,000).The decree, passed last Tuesday and due to enter into force on 10 February, was to make abuse of power a crime only punishable by jail if the sums involved exceeded 200,000 lei (£38,000).
The government also wants, in a separate decree to be reviewed by parliament next week, to free some 2,500 people from prison serving sentences of less than five years. The government also wants, in a separate decree to be reviewed by parliament next week, to free about 2,500 people from prison serving sentences of less than five years.
Grindeanu, from the left-wing Social Democrats (PSD), had said that the measures were to bring penal law into line with the constitution and reduce overcrowding in prisons. But critics saw a brazenly transparent attempt by the PSD to let off many of its own officials and lawmakers ensnared in a major anti-corruption drive of recent years. Grindeanu, from the left-wing Social Democrats (PSD), had said that the measures were to bring penal law into line with the constitution and reduce overcrowding in prisons. But critics said it was a brazenly transparent attempt by the PSD to let off many of its own officials and lawmakers ensnared in a major anti-corruption drive of recent years.
This push saw almost 2,000 people convicted for abuse of power between 2014 and 2016, and a serving prime minister, five ministers, 16 lawmakers and five senators go on trial.This push saw almost 2,000 people convicted for abuse of power between 2014 and 2016, and a serving prime minister, five ministers, 16 lawmakers and five senators go on trial.
Grindeanu’s climbdown on Saturday evening – he said he wanted to avoid dividing the nation – sparked cheers and celebrations that went late into the night. Grindeanu’s climbdown on Saturday evening – he said he wanted to avoid dividing the nation – sparked cheers and celebrations that carried on late into the night.
But he said the government still needed to bring laws into line with the constitution, slamming what he called a campaign of misinformation and distortion. But he said the government still needed to bring laws into line with the constitution, criticising what he called a campaign of misinformation and distortion.
Raluca, a demonstrator in her 30s, said she was delighted but that the government was still not to be trusted. “People are going to remain very vigilant with this government,” she told AFP late on Saturday.Raluca, a demonstrator in her 30s, said she was delighted but that the government was still not to be trusted. “People are going to remain very vigilant with this government,” she told AFP late on Saturday.
Her words were echoed on Sunday morning by Rado, one of a trio peddling away on bikes fixed to the ground at Victory Square. Her words were echoed on Sunday morning by Rado, one of a trio peddling on bikes fixed to the ground in Victory Square.
“Usually we do a Sunday trip, we cycle around 100-150 kilometres (60-90 miles),” said the 27-year-old, who works for an online sports shop. “And since we have to look out for the thieves in our government, we decided just to come here and train.”…We just want someone competent to run the state for the people. Not for themselves, for their own benefit and bank accounts.” “Usually we do a Sunday trip, we cycle around 100-150 kilometres,” said the 27-year-old, who works for an online sports shop. “And since we have to look out for the thieves in our government, we decided just to come here and train. We just want someone competent to run the state for the people. Not for themselves, for their own benefit and bank accounts.”