Romanians gather for 20th day of protests against government
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 February 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Romanians gather for 20th day of protests against government, 20 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a56e13.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 20, 2017
The numbers of demonstrators are down substantially since massive protests led Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu to withdraw an unpopular decree that critics said would have weakened the fight against corruption. (file photo)
Thousands of Romanians turned out for the 20th consecutive day of antigovernment protests despite the cold and heavy rain.
Organizers said on February 20 that 3,000 protesters were in the capital of Bucharest in front of the parliament building.
They said another 3,000 demonstrated in Romania's second-largest city, Cluj.
The numbers are down substantially since massive protests against the Social Democrat government led Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu to withdraw an unpopular emergency decree that critics said would have weakened the fight against corruption.
Crowds reached an estimated peak of 600,000 across the country on February 5, the largest protests since the fall of communism.
The government repealed the decree that day, but protesters continued to take to the streets to demand the resignation of the entire Grindeanu government, which had taken office just a month earlier.
The decree would have redefined abuse of office and decriminalized embezzlement of less than 45,000 euros ($50,000).
Despite the protests, Grindeanu has refused to resign.
Romania's upper house of parliament, the Senate, voted unanimously to endorse the decision to scrap the decree on February 14.
The lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, has yet to approve it, worrying some demonstrators that it could still be implemented.
Based on reporting by dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
