PSD head: Romania’s government could scrap amendments to Criminal Code, amid massive protests

Newsroom 04/02/2017 | 16:37

The head of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, says in a statement that the center-left government led by Sorin Grindeanu could repeal the amendments to the Criminal Code, which triggered massive street protests and concerned reactions from foreign embassies and high-ranking officials of the European Union and the United States of America.

His statement came shortly after one PSD MP said that the social-democrats could organize their own rally next week, in support for Grindeanu’s government. However, Dragnea said that he doesn’t want Romania to be split in two.

“I will propose a solution to extinguish the conflict that I hope the PM will accept in relation with the government  emergency decision. Eventually, we can talk about the repeal of the GED, if the PM accepts it,” said Dragnea, as quoted by DCnews.ro, a Romanian news portal.

The PSD head has dramatically changed his tone compared to two days ago, when he claimed that the government won’t cave in and drop the changes to the Criminal Code, which partially decriminalize the abuse in office. According to the current version of the ordinance, Dragnea would be one of the beneficiaries of the amendments as he is being tried for instigation to abuse in office and intellectual forgery in a corruption case.

People continued to protest on Saturday in front of the government building in Bucharest and the rallies were set to continue throughout the weekend.

The president of the Constitutional Court (CCR), Valer Dorneanu, said that the judges could discuss and make a ruling on the ordinance next week. The amendments were attacked at the CCR by president Klaus Iohannis, the Ombudsman Victor Ciorbea and the Superior Council of Magistrates.

The potential repeal of the ordinance was welcomed by the president of the Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, who is the leader of the Alliance of the Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) – part of the ruling coalition.

Ovidiu Posirca

BR Magazine | Latest Issue

Download PDF: Business Review Magazine March (II) 2024 Issue

The March (II) 2024 issue of Business Review Magazine is now available in digital format, featuring the main cover story titled “BAT DBS Romania Hub: A Vibrant New Office For An Employee-Centric
Newsroom | 27/03/2024 | 17:32
Advertisement Advertisement
Close ×

We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure, personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used.

Accept & continue