Thousands expected to protest in Bucharest against Parliament decisions

Newsroom 23/06/2016 | 11:19

A few thousand people are expected to gather today in University Square, a traditional meeting point for protesters, at a rally against several recent bills voted by the Romanian parliament. The protest was announced via a Facebook event and is organized by a blogger. Over 5,000 people expressed their interest in attending the event.

Recently the Parliament voted several controversial bills and rejected the request by the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) to approve the criminal prosecution against former Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean. Specifically, the Parliament passed a law on the decriminalization of conflict of interest in the case of MPs who employed relatives or in-laws prior to 2013, before the provisions of the Statute of MPs, which criminalize the offense entered into force.

Secondly, the Parliament plenum passed a law on the so-called ‘special pensions’ for local elected officials who successfully completed at least one mandate. The measure drew criticism from several political figures, including ministers in the Ciolos government. Minister of Labour Dragos Paslaru recently warned that the special pensions “are practically eroding the public pensions system,” and called on the Parliament “not to cross the line.”

The protesters are also unhappy with the fact that former Minister of Foreign Affairs Titus Corlatean escaped prosecution in a case related to the November 2014 presidential elections. Following a Parliament decision to reject the DNA request to start prosecution, voted by an overwhelming majority, Corlatean will not be investigated for allegedly curtailing voting rights of Romanian citizens living abroad. In addition, the Facebook event criticizes the fact that currently candidates who are jailed can run for office.

“The Parliament is taking advantage of the fact that we are melting under the heat and is screwing us over,” the text of the event reads.

Georgeta Gheorghe

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