BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's Social Democrat government of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu on Sunday repealed a decree decriminalizing some graft offences, a government source said.

"The decree was scrapped," a government official told Reuters, adding that an official statement would be released soon.

Romania's prime minister said on Saturday he was would scrap the decree following mass protests. It would have shielded dozens of politicians from prosecution for corruption.</s>BUCHAREST: Romania's Social Democrat government made good on Sunday on a promise by the prime minister to repeal a decree decriminalising some graft offences, as nationwide protests against high-level corruption entered a sixth day.

The government also said it also agreed to declassify transcripts of debates during Thursday's cabinet meeting at which the decree was approved.

News of its approval, which would have led to dozens of politicians being shielded from prosecution for corruption, triggered the biggest public protests in Romania since 1989, when the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu collapsed.

Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said on Saturday he would scrap the measure, as requested by President Klaus Iohannis, as he did not want to "divide Romania".

On Sunday, about 5,000 anti-government protesters gathered in front of government offices in Victoriei Square in central Bucharest while a separate group of about 1,000 mostly older demonstrators denounced Iohannis as a "traitor" outside the presidential palace.

Social Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea, barred from political office due to a conviction for vote-rigging, denied on his Facebook page that his party had organised the anti-Iohannis protest.

The decree could also have benefited Dragnea - who picked Grindeanu to lead the government in his place - by waiving abuse-of-office charge he is standing trial on. He denies wrongdoing.

The government said its introduction was a bid to relive pressure on the prison system. It would have come into force at the end of next week.

Seen by its critics as the biggest retreat on reforms since Romania joined the European Union in 2007, the decree would have exempted abuse-of-power offences involving sums below 200,000 lei (US$48,000) from prosecution - shielding hundreds of officials from justice.

Nine Western powers including Germany and the United States said they were deeply concerned the decree could undermine Romania's partnerships in the EU and NATO.</s>BUCHAREST: Romania's Social Democrat government of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu on Sunday repealed a decree decriminalising some graft offences, a government source said.

"The decree was scrapped," a government official told Reuters, adding that an official statement would be released soon.

Romania's prime minister said on Saturday he was would scrap the decree following mass protests. It would have shielded dozens of politicians from prosecution for corruption.</s>Romania’s government is ot scrap a decree decriminalising some graft offences, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said on Saturday, as some 140,000 demonstrators protested against the law a stone’s throw from his office.

“We’ll hold an extraordinary meeting on Sunday to repeal the decree, withdraw, cancel it … you understand, and find a legal way to make sure it does not take effect,” Grindeanu said in televised speech from the cabinet’s headquarters.

Călin Tăriceanu, head of the ALDE party – a junior partner of the ruling Social Democrats – told Romania TV: “This [happens] because we have nothing to hide.”

The news came after a fifth consecutive day of protests against the proposed law, which saw tens of thousands of Romanians take to the streets all around the country. An even bigger turnout had been predicted for Sunday. 



Grindeanu said the proposal would be sent to parliament for debate. The prime minister said he did not want to “divide Romania” and that “Romania in this moment seems broken in two.” The country’s constitutional court is expected to rule next week on whether the measure was legal.

Earlier on Saturday the coalition government had hinted that it was considering backing down on the legislation. Liviu Dragnea, head of the ruling Social Democratic party, had told DC News that he was meeting Grindeanu to propose a solution. “We can possibly talk about repealing the decree, if the prime minister agrees,” Dragnea had said.

The overtures were not, however, enough to deter protesters. Thousands of Romanians formed a human chain around the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest and there were also large-scale protests in the cities of Cluj, Timişoara, Sibiu, Constanța and Braşov.



The government had come under pressure at home and abroad to repeal the emergency decree passed on Wednesday, which waters down the country’s anti-corruption measures.</s>Protesters light their mobiles as they take part in a demonstration in Bucharest, Romania, February 5, 2017. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's Social Democrat government on Sunday annulled a decree that would decriminalize some graft offences, an embarrassing u-turn for the country's new prime minister in the face of week-long mass protests and international rebuke.

The government also declassified the transcript of debates during Tuesday's cabinet meeting when the decree that would have shielded dozens of politicians from prosecution was approved.

It said the decree was a bid to relieve pressure on the prison system but Romanians were furious, holding the biggest mass protests in the country since 1989, when the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu was ousted in a bloody revolution.

A day after Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said he did not want to divide Romania, his cabinet held an emergency meeting to scrap the decree as tens of thousands of demonstrators outside chanted "Thieves, thieves" and "Re-sig-na-tion, Re-sig-na-tion".

Among the 220,000 protesters in the central Piata Victoriei square, one dressed as 15th century Romanian ruler Vlad Tepes - notorious for impaling Turks and thieves on wooden stakes and whose life inspired the fictional character Dracula - held a banner reading: "Did you miss me?"

A giant laser plastered the words "Do Not Give Up" and "Resignation," on the facade of the building housing the headquarters of government - the prime minister's office.

The decree had been seen by critics as the biggest retreat on reforms since Romania joined the European Union in 2007. It would have exempted abuse-of-power offences involving sums below 200,000 lei ($48,000) from prosecution - shielding hundreds of officials from justice.

Liviu Dragnea, leader of the ruling Social Democrat party, said the prime minister would hold talks with his justice minister and decide whether or not to sack him.

The decree could have put an end to the trial of Dragnea, who is barred from political office because of an electoral fraud conviction and viewed by many as the real power behind Grindeanu's government.

Among the decree's chief critics was President Klaus Iohannis, who joined one anti-corruption rally two weeks ago and repeatedly urged the government to scrap the measure.

On Sunday a small group of pro-government protesters in front of his Cotroceni presidential palace denounced him as a "traitor".

Germany and the United States were among nine western powers which had expressed concern that the decree could undermine Romania's partnerships in the EU and NATO.

In neighboring Bulgaria, dozens of people gathered outside the Romanian embassy in Sofia to voice support for the mass protests. Banners read "Unite against corruption," and "Romania, Bulgaria supports you."</s>BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's Social Democrat government made good on Sunday on a promise by the prime minister to repeal a decree decriminalizing some graft offences, as nationwide protests against high-level corruption entered a sixth day.

The government also said it also agreed to declassify transcripts of debates during Thursday's cabinet meeting at which the decree was approved.

News of its approval, which would have led to dozens of politicians being shielded from prosecution for corruption, triggered the biggest public protests in Romania since 1989, when the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu collapsed.

Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said on Saturday he would scrap the measure, as requested by President Klaus Iohannis, as he did not want to "divide Romania".

On Sunday, about 5,000 anti-government protesters gathered in front of government offices in Victoriei Square in central Bucharest while a separate group of about 1,000 mostly older demonstrators denounced Iohannis as a "traitor" outside the presidential palace.

Social Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea, barred from political office due to a conviction for vote-rigging, denied on his Facebook page that his party had organized the anti-Iohannis protest.

The decree could also have benefited Dragnea - who picked Grindeanu to lead the government in his place - by waiving abuse-of-office charge he is standing trial on. He denies wrongdoing.

The government said its introduction was a bid to relive pressure on the prison system. It would have come into force at the end of next week.

Seen by its critics as the biggest retreat on reforms since Romania joined the European Union in 2007, the decree would have exempted abuse-of-power offences involving sums below 200,000 lei ($48,000) from prosecution - shielding hundreds of officials from justice.

Nine Western powers including Germany and the United States said they were deeply concerned the decree could undermine Romania's partnerships in the EU and NATO.</s>The government also declassified the transcript of debates during Tuesday's cabinet meeting when the decree that would have shielded dozens of politicians from prosecution was approved.

It said the decree was a bid to relieve pressure on the prison system but Romanians were furious, holding the biggest mass protests in the country since 1989, when the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu was ousted in a bloody revolution.

A day after Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said he did not want to divide Romania, his cabinet held an emergency meeting to scrap the decree as tens of thousands of demonstrators outside chanted "Thieves, thieves" and "Re-sig-na-tion, Re-sig-na-tion".

Among the 220,000 protesters in the central Piata Victoriei square, one dressed as 15th century Romanian ruler Vlad Tepes - notorious for impaling Turks and thieves on wooden stakes and whose life inspired the fictional character Dracula - held a banner reading: "Did you miss me?"

A giant laser plastered the words "Do Not Give Up" and "Resignation," on the facade of the building housing the headquarters of government - the prime minister's office.

The decree had been seen by critics as the biggest retreat on reforms since Romania joined the European Union in 2007. It would have exempted abuse-of-power offences involving sums below 200,000 lei ($48,000) from prosecution - shielding hundreds of officials from justice.

Liviu Dragnea, leader of the ruling Social Democrat party, said the prime minister would hold talks with his justice minister and decide whether or not to sack him.

The decree could have put an end to the trial of Dragnea, who is barred from political office because of an electoral fraud conviction and viewed by many as the real power behind Grindeanu's government.

Among the decree's chief critics was President Klaus Iohannis, who joined one anti-corruption rally two weeks ago and repeatedly urged the government to scrap the measure.

On Sunday a small group of pro-government protesters in front of his Cotroceni presidential palace denounced him as a "traitor".

Germany and the United States were among nine western powers which had expressed concern that the decree could undermine Romania's partnerships in the EU and NATO.

In neighboring Bulgaria, dozens of people gathered outside the Romanian embassy in Sofia to voice support for the mass protests. Banners read "Unite against corruption," and "Romania, Bulgaria supports you."</s>BUCHAREST (REUTERS) - Romania's prime minister said on Saturday (Feb 4) he was scrapping a decree that would have shielded dozens of politicians from prosecution for corruption, bowing to one of the biggest protests since the fall of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989.

Sorin Grindeanu said the decree - which decriminalised several graft offences in what the government said was a bid to relive pressure on the prison system - would be repealed on Sunday, just five days after is was approved by the Cabinet.

It would have come into force at the end of next week. "I do not want to divide Romania. Romania can't be split into two. Right now Romania seems broken in two. My last desire is to witness this," Grindeanu said, referring to the public disgust at the decree which brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets every day since it was passed.

While he made the announcement live on television, some of the anti-corruption protesters outside his office, which police estimated at 170,000, chanted: "Resign! Resign!" and waved the Romanian flag.

Soon after, an image of a map of Romania was laser-projected onto a nearby building, with the words: "We WOKE UP!" Protests in some 70 cities nationwide were estimated by police to number 330,000 people.

"They must go. This is an incompetent government," said one protester who gave his name as Gabriel. "We don't want to see this repeated. We won't give up."

The decree, seen by its critics as the biggest retreat on reforms since Romania joined the European Union in 2007, would have exempted abuse-of-power offences involving sums below 200,000 lei (S$67,000) from prosecution - shielding hundreds of officials from justice.

It could have put an end to the ongoing trial of the head of the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) Liviu Dragnea, viewed as the real power behind Grindeanu's government which took office last month.

Dragnea, whose conviction for electoral fraud barred him from office, is accused of using his political influence to secure state salaries for two people working at his party headquarters between 2006 and 2013. He denies wrongdoing.

Dozens of political figures from all parties stood to benefit from the decree.

Nine Western powers including Germany and the United States said they were deeply concerned the decree could undermine Romania's partnerships in the EU and Nato.</s>BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's prime minister said on Saturday he was scrapping a decree that would have shielded dozens of politicians from prosecution for corruption, bowing to one of the biggest protests since the fall of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989.

Sorin Grindeanu said the decree - which decriminalized several graft offences in what the government said was a bid to relive pressure on the prison system - would be repealed on Sunday, just five days after is was approved by the cabinet.

It would have come into force at the end of next week.

"I do not want to divide Romania. Romania can't be split into two. Right now Romania seems broken in two. My last desire is to witness this," Grindeanu said, referring to the public disgust at the decree which brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets every day since it was passed.

While he made the announcement live on television, some of the anti-corruption protesters outside his office, which police estimated at 170,000, chanted: "Resign! Resign!" and waved the Romanian flag.

Soon after, an image of a map of Romania was laser-projected onto a nearby building, with the words: "We WOKE UP!" Protests in some 70 cities nationwide were estimated by police to number 330,000 people.

"They must go. This is an incompetent government," said one protester who gave his name as Gabriel. "We don't want to see this repeated. We won't give up."

The decree, seen by its critics as the biggest retreat on reforms since Romania joined the European Union in 2007, would have exempted abuse-of-power offences involving sums below 200,000 lei ($48,000) from prosecution - shielding hundreds of officials from justice.

It could have put an end to the ongoing trial of the head of the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) Liviu Dragnea, viewed as the real power behind Grindeanu's government which took office last month.

Dragnea, whose conviction for electoral fraud barred him from office, is accused of using his political influence to secure state salaries for two people working at his party headquarters between 2006 and 2013. He denies wrongdoing.

Dozens of political figures from all parties stood to benefit from the decree.

Nine Western powers including Germany and the United States said they were deeply concerned the decree could undermine Romania's partnerships in the EU and NATO.</s>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 hundreds of thousands of people 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. 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. 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.
Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announces that his government will scrap its proposed decree of decriminalizing some graft offenses on Sunday.