Romania to scrap corruption decree | CNN

Romania to scrap corruption decree that sparked mass protests

By Ralph Ellis, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 8:23 PM EST, Sat February 4, 2017
On Sunday, February 5, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2017%2F02%2F05%2Feurope%2Fromania-protests-corruption%2Findex.html">Romanians turned out for a sixth straight day</a> to demonstrate against a new law passed last week that would decriminalize corruption. Amid the protests Sunday night, the decree was officially repealed in a government statement following an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu's Cabinet.
On Sunday, February 5, Romanians turned out for a sixth straight day to demonstrate against a new law passed last week that would decriminalize corruption. Amid the protests Sunday night, the decree was officially repealed in a government statement following an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu's Cabinet.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters demonstrate in Bucharest on February 5. The new law, which passed on January 31, would have decriminalized corruption that caused damage worth less than about $48,000 (200,000 lei). Liviu Dragnea, president of the ruling Social Democrat Party, and other high-ranking politicians stood to benefit from the new law. Dragnea is under investigation over abuse of power allegations.
Protesters demonstrate in Bucharest on February 5. The new law, which passed on January 31, would have decriminalized corruption that caused damage worth less than about $48,000 (200,000 lei). Liviu Dragnea, president of the ruling Social Democrat Party, and other high-ranking politicians stood to benefit from the new law. Dragnea is under investigation over abuse of power allegations.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
Protesters gather in front of a government building on Saturday, February 4. In a nationally televised address Saturday evening, Prime Minister Grindeanu told Romanians, "Romania cannot be torn apart."
Protesters gather in front of a government building on Saturday, February 4. In a nationally televised address Saturday evening, Prime Minister Grindeanu told Romanians, "Romania cannot be torn apart."
Darko Bandic/AP
A woman displays a Romanian flag during a protest in Bucharest on Friday, February 3.
A woman displays a Romanian flag during a protest in Bucharest on Friday, February 3.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
Romanians demonstrate in Bucharest on Thursday, February 2, after the government weakened penalties for corruption. Thursday marked the third night of anti-government protests in the Romanian capital.
Romanians demonstrate in Bucharest on Thursday, February 2, after the government weakened penalties for corruption. Thursday marked the third night of anti-government protests in the Romanian capital.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
A young girl offers a flower to a police officer during an anti-government protest February 2 in Bucharest.
A young girl offers a flower to a police officer during an anti-government protest February 2 in Bucharest.
Tudor Vintiloiu/Sputnik via AP
Protesters crowded in front of government headquarters in Bucharest on February 1, demonstrating against the passage of a law that would decriminalize corruption.
Protesters crowded in front of government headquarters in Bucharest on February 1, demonstrating against the passage of a law that would decriminalize corruption.
Gabriel Petrescu/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
Riot police try to disperse demonstrators with tear gas February 1 in Bucharest. If it had gone into effect, the new law would have stopped ongoing investigations for corruption offenses and would prevent the launching of any subsequent probes.
Riot police try to disperse demonstrators with tear gas February 1 in Bucharest. If it had gone into effect, the new law would have stopped ongoing investigations for corruption offenses and would prevent the launching of any subsequent probes.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters dismantle an advertising display February 1 in front of government headquarters in Bucharest.
Protesters dismantle an advertising display February 1 in front of government headquarters in Bucharest.
ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police and protesters clash February 1 in Bucharest.
Riot police and protesters clash February 1 in Bucharest.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
Police detain demonstrators February 1 in Bucharest.
Police detain demonstrators February 1 in Bucharest.
ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-riot police remove a protester February 1 in front of government headquarters in Bucharest.
Anti-riot police remove a protester February 1 in front of government headquarters in Bucharest.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
People wave flags in opposition to the government's decree February 1 in Bucharest. The embassies of Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States issued a joint statement expressing concern over the Romanian government's actions. The European Commission president also voiced worry.
People wave flags in opposition to the government's decree February 1 in Bucharest. The embassies of Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States issued a joint statement expressing concern over the Romanian government's actions. The European Commission president also voiced worry.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
A protester kneels near a police line on February 1 in Bucharest.
A protester kneels near a police line on February 1 in Bucharest.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
Police and demonstrators face off February 1 in Bucharest. Some people threw flares and other objects at security forces.
Police and demonstrators face off February 1 in Bucharest. Some people threw flares and other objects at security forces.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
An officer uses pepper spray on demonstrators trying to gain access to a government building in Bucharest on Tuesday, January 31.
An officer uses pepper spray on demonstrators trying to gain access to a government building in Bucharest on Tuesday, January 31.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
People throw snow at police protecting government headquarters on January 31 in Bucharest. Protesters also took to the streets in other cities across Romania.
People throw snow at police protecting government headquarters on January 31 in Bucharest. Protesters also took to the streets in other cities across Romania.
DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images
Romanians protest new corruption law

Story highlights

"I don't want to divide Romania," Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu says

A law decriminalizing some corruption led to the largest protests since communism's fall

CNN  — 

Following days of street protests, Romania will repeal a decree that would have essentially decriminalized some acts of corruption, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said Saturday.

Grindeanu said he will call a Sunday Cabinet meeting to scrap the measure, which he passed Tuesday without the vote of Parliament.

“I don’t want to divide Romania,” Grindeanu said in a televised address as crowds protested across the country, including in Bucharest’s Victory Square just outside the government headquarters.

“Romania cannot be torn apart. Romania, in this moment, due to what’s going on seems to be divided, but it’s my last wish to get to anything like that,” he said.

The decree would have decriminalized corruption that causes damage worth less than about $48,000 US (200,000 Romanian lei.)

It also would have halted all investigations for pending corruption offenses, prevented further cases related to these offenses to be brought into justice and freed some officials imprisoned for corruption.

Grindeanu said Saturday there were some problems in communicating the decree to the public. He said the justice minister, who championed the law, had taken full responsibility.

More protests

The news didn’t calm the crowds. Massive rallies were expected again Sunday in Bucharest and other cities.

The sometimes-violent street protests stretched across the nation and were some of the largest in Romania since communism fell in 1989.

Thousands of protesters take to streets in Romania

Before Grindeanu’s announcement, the law was set to take effect in a little over a week.

The decree would have benefited some politicians, such as Liviu Dragnea – president of the Social Democrat Party, which recently took power. Dragnea is under investigation over abuse of power allegations and had also previously received a two-year suspended sentence for an elections offense.

Concern over decree

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed concern over the new law this week.

“The fight against corruption needs to be advanced, not undone,” he said “We are following the latest developments in Romania with great concern.”

The embassies of Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States issued a joint statement echoing Juncker’s sentiments.

Journalist Cosmin Stan in Romania and CNN’s Kara Fox and Marilia Brocchetto contributed to this article.