Romania braced for fresh anti-government protests
Romanian Justice Minister Florin Iordache has resigned as the fallout from the corruption decree and subsequent protests continues.
BREAKING: #Romania Justice Minister, Florin Iordache just anouced his resignation #AJNewsGrid #AJStream
LeahHardingAJE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/peterdobbie1">peterdobbie1 pic.twitter.com/Z7Xq4a6a2r— Adrian Pacurariu (@adrianpacurariu) February 9, 2017
It comes as Romania’s constitutional court has sidestepped a decision to rule on a government decree that decriminalises certain corruption offences.
The decree was introduced by the government and then withdrawn after mass public outrage.
The decree was referred to the court by the national Ombudsman, before the ruling Social Democrats withdrew it.
The court’s non-ruling was based on the premise that the constitutional court does not rule on things that do not exist.
Proud of YOU! We are in the light, #Romania ! #rezist #romanianprotests pic.twitter.com/GlIIpIyOvH
— Lorin Lupchian (@LorinLupchian) February 5, 2017
Those opposed to the decree are furious as they suspect it will reappear in draft legislation and go before the parliament where the Social Democrats hold a solid majority.