Romania anti-corruption protests enter fourth day as political crisis deepens

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Tens of thousands of demonstrators in Romania have rallied for a fourth night to protest against the government’s controversial corruption decree.

The capital Bucharest saw the biggest demonstration.

Friday’s show of anger came as the political crisis in the country deepened.

The government insists it wants to ease Romania’s overcrowded prisons, but the country’s ombudsman went to the constitutional court to challenge the new law.

The influential orthodox church also criticised the measure.

But time is of the essence – there are only a few days before the decree comes into force.

That will see dozens of officials jailed for corruption freed and hundreds of others avoid prosecution.

The street protests have been on a scale not seen since the fall of communism.