2017-02-05 18:46:00

Romania scraps Corruption Decree amid massive protests


(Vatican Radio) Romania's leftist-leaning government has scrapped a controversial decree that would have prevented law enforcement to prosecute many politicians for corruption. Sunday's decision followed the largest protests since the collapse of Communism and a bloody revolution in 1989.  

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:


The decree scrapped Sunday would have decriminalized abuse of power offences where sums of less than 44,000 euro were involved. It would also potentially involve pardoning thousands of prisoners.  

One immediate beneficiary would have been Liviu Dragnea, who leads the ruling Social Democrats and faces charges of defrauding the state of 24,000 euro.

The 54-year-old Dragnea was already barred from becoming prime minister because of an earlier suspended jail sentence for voter fraud.

Yet, plans to prevent prosecutors to investigate him and other high ranking officials were scrapped during an emergency meeting, following days of massive protests.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES

Hundreds of thousands of Romanians braved freezing temperatures in the capital Bucharest and cities across the country. Protesters have vowed to keep the pressure on the cabinet, with some demanding the entire government quits.

President Klaus Ioannis has openly expressed support for the demonstrators. "I am very concerned. And I have to admit, even if it is very hard for me, that the situation in Romania is very complicated," he told reporters. 

"But we have hundreds of thousands of my Romanians out on the streets. And I trust them. I trust my people. I believe in Romania. So in the end I am convinced that we will and we have to find good solutions. The rule of law has to prevail, the European values have to prevail," the president added.  

Ioannis also urged foreign investors to stay in Romania, one of the European Union's poorest nations, despite the turmoil. "Investors are are not threatened. And the economic situation is still very good," Ionannis said. "And I think it will stay good. So no problems for investors. This is a matter of principle for the population, for the politicians."   

With a key decree now being scrapped, it remains to be seen whether calm will return to the streets of this troubled nation. However, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu has pledged to the protesters and others that he will "not divide Romania."








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