Romania scraps law soft on corruption after biggest protests since collapse of Communism
The decree would have saved hundreds of officials from prosecution
Romania’s premier has announced a dramatic climbdown on legislation that had been seen as a retreat on corruption, after the biggest protests since the collapse of Communism.
Sorin Grindeanu told a hastily convened news conference that the government would meet on Sunday to repeal an emergency decree that could have seen some corrupt officials escape prosecution.
“I do not want to divide Romania,” Grindeanu said at government headquarters in central Bucharest, sparking celebrations among the estimated 120,000 people protesting outside for a fifth evening in a row.
Raluca, a demonstrator in her 30s, said she was delighted but that the leftwing government, which has been in office for barely a month, was still not to be trusted.
“People are going to remain very vigilant with this government,” she said.
Watch: Romanian protesters celebrate after government graft climbdown