Romania: Anti-corruption protest draws over 1000 in Bucharest May 3

Event

Media sources have reported that over 1000 people gathered outside Romanian government offices in Bucharest, blocking Victory Square, during the evening of Wednesday, May 3, to protest a recent legislative move to pardon acts of corruption. Demonstrators reportedly gathered shortly after a parliamentary committee, dominated by the ruling Social Democracy Party, approved draft legislation that would pardon those convicted of bribery and influence peddling. The protest comes after months of massive anti-corruption protests earlier this year, the largest in Romania since 1989. Related demonstrations are likely to continue in the coming days.

Context

Widespread protests across Romania began on January 18 and continued for over a month, with demonstrators initially denouncing the adoption of two plans spearheaded by Prime Minister Grindeanu to pardon or reduce the sentences of prisoners and to decriminalize abuse of power. Both measures were taken via emergency decree to reduce prison overcrowding. However, the decisions were widely criticized by President Iohannis, the judicial branch, NGOs, and Romanian citizens, many of whom saw it as an attempt to release pro-government prisoners serving sentences for corruption charges. The decree was passed on January 31 and was due to come into effect on February 10. However, the government announced the repeal of the decree on February 5, following massive street protests. Demonstrators, initially pressuring the government to annul the decree, eventually expanded their demands to call for the complete resignation of the government.

Advice

Individuals present in Romania are advised to avoid all protests and to keep abreast of the situation via local media outlets.