People appalled by corruption bill, Romanian President says

By Elizabeth Roberts and Cristiana Moisescu, CNN
4 minute read
Published 11:42 AM EST, Tue February 7, 2017
On Sunday, February 5, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/05/europe/romania-protests-corruption/index.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 Amid the protests Sunday night, the decree was officially repealed in a government statement following an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu's Cabinet.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 Amid the protests Sunday night, the decree was officially repealed in a government statement following an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu's Cabinet.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

Klaus Iohannis said too little had been done too late over the controversial measure

Members of the government walked out of the chamber during address to Parliament

CNN  — 

The President of Romania has attacked the country’s government in a speech in Parliament, saying “Romanians are appalled” over the corruption bill scandal that has rocked the country in recent days.

President Klaus Iohannis said it is time for Romania to decide whether it wants to be a “strong prosperous” nation or a “weak despised one” – and he called for a referendum so the people can have their say.

Half a million citizens took to the streets on Sunday in the largest of a series of demonstrations over a bill that would have protected many politicians from being prosecuted for corruption.

TOPSHOT - This picture shows a large view of people protesting against the Romanian government's contentious corruption decree in front of the government headquarters at the Victoriei square in Bucharest on February 5, 2017. Romania's government formally repealed contentious corruption legislation that has sparked the biggest protests since the fall of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989, ministerial sources said. The emergency decree, announced on Tuesday (January 31, 2017), would have decriminalised certain corruption offences, raising concerns in Romania and outside that the government was easing up on fighting graft. Centre-right President Klaus Iohannis, elected in 2014 on an anti-graft platform, previously had called the decree "scandalous" and moved to invoke the constitutional court. / AFP / ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI (Photo credit should read ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI/AFP/Getty Images)