Mass protests in Romania enter day four as ombudsman challenges corruption decree
Romania's ombudsman has challenged in the Constitutional Court a cabinet decree passed earlier in the week decriminalising some graft offences, in an apparent watering down of an anti-corruption drive that sparked mass protests and international condemnation.
The decree would decriminalise abuse-of-power offences in which the sums do not exceed 200,000 lei ($48,000), potentially scuttling an ongoing trial of the governing Social Democrat party chief and benefiting dozens of other public officials.
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Bucharest and 70 other cities and towns across Romania on Friday in the fourth day of nationwide, peaceful protests in which people have demanded an immediate halt to the legislation.
"Repeal it, repeal it," "Corruption kills," read banners carried by demonstrators in Bucharest's main square in front of the government building, many waving the national red, yellow and blue flag.
About 120,000 gathered in Bucharest alone, according to riot police, and overall about 300,000 protested around the country and in several western European capitals.
The government has firmly rejected calls to rescind the decree, though cracks in cabinet unity emerged on...