Romania will amend decrees that could weaken anti-graft effort

Romania’s government will probably amend proposed decrees that critics say would weaken a drive against corruption, the country’s justice minister said on Monday, although he declined to say exactly what would be changed.

The government had planned to issue emergency decrees, which unlike bills passed by parliament would take effect immediately, to reduce the sentences for some offences and grant pardons to those convicted of others .

Roughly 100,000 Romanians rallied in the capital, Bucharest, and in other cities on Sunday to protest the plans, which had raised concern they will weaken a crackdown on corruption.

On Monday, Justice Minister Florin Iordache held public consultations on the decree drafts. Hundreds of people showed up, including civil rights groups, parents of convicted prisoners and lawyers with convictions for corruption. Iordache said he will analyse their suggestions.

“The initial versions will certainly be amended,” Iordache told reporters. “We will take the observations made today into account. I don’t want to say what we will eliminate or whether we will and how the (drafts) will look.”

He said he would announce a decision after consulting with Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu.

President Klaus Iohannis has repeatedly urged the cabinet to withdraw the decrees, which he said threatened the rule of law. He also said he would call a referendum on the plans.

“A solid democracy is one in which the majority does not abuse their rights just because they hold power temporarily,” Iohannis said on his Facebook page on Monday.

The prosecutor general, the top magistrates’ council, chief anti-corruption prosecutor and anti-organised crime unit chief, the supreme court, civil rights groups and diplomats have all criticised the decrees.