The Romanian government revoked the amendments to the Criminal Code reducing the penalties for corruption and pardoning several groups of prisoners, which adoption had resulted in nationwide protests.
According to the Digi24 broadcaster, despite the cabinet's move people demand the government's resignation while only the rally in Bucharest has gathered over 300,000 protesters becoming the largest rally in the country since 1989.
#Bucharest mon amour.#Timisoara mon amour #romanianprotests pic.twitter.com/982rucXP5S
— Ozzie (@JAX_226) February 5, 2017
Osa mielenosoittajista alkaa liikkua kohti metroasemia, jotta pääsevät julkisilla kotiin #romanianprotests #Bucharest pic.twitter.com/uYMDwDSuj3
— Anna-Liina Kauhanen (@AL_Kauhanen) February 5, 2017
The protesters carry national flags and banners with slogans criticizing both the government and the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), the media outlet added.
At the same time, the country's Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu had refused to step down, saying that the government could be dissolved only following the vote of non-confidence.
It's not called Victory Square for nothing! Now protesters call for resignations.#romanianprotests #resist #rezist pic.twitter.com/TvYROz9TNv
— Tara Skurtu (@TaraSkurtu) February 5, 2017
Romania has been mired in a wave of protests since Tuesday after the government approved two decrees issued by the country's Justice Ministry. The first of them reduced the penalties for corruption as well as the punishment for the abuse of power. The second one introduced pardons and amnesties for certain prisoners, such as parents of small children.
The country's new government, elected in December, explained that the law was necessary to help align the criminal code with rulings by the Constitutional Court. However, news of the decree soon spread, leading to mass demonstrations across Romania.
