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Romania government scraps corruption decree after protests Romania government scraps corruption decree after protests
(about 1 hour later)
Romania's government has scrapped a controversial decree that would have shielded many politicians from prosecution for corruption, ministerial sources say. Romania's government has scrapped a controversial decree that would have shielded many politicians from prosecution for corruption.
The cabinet held an emergency meeting on the issue Sunday, following days of large street protests. The decision came at an emergency meeting on the issue, following days of large street protests.
PM Sorin Grindeanu said on Saturday: "I do not want to divide Romania." One of those behind the move said it was to restore calm in Romania, but also strongly criticised the judiciary.
Protesters have vowed to keep the pressure on the cabinet, with some demanding the entire government quits.Protesters have vowed to keep the pressure on the cabinet, with some demanding the entire government quits.
The decree was passed on Tuesday and was due to come into effect on 10 February.The decree was passed on Tuesday and was due to come into effect on 10 February.
The protests have been the country's largest since the fall of communism in 1989.The protests have been the country's largest since the fall of communism in 1989.
Statement due Calin Tariceanu, leader of the Senate and a former prime minister, told the BBC the decree was well-intentioned, but had to be withdrawn to re-establish calm in the country.
Before the meeting, Mr Grindeanu, from the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), said he "heard and saw many opinions", including from "the voice of the street". He also strongly criticised the judiciary, saying he did not consider it to be independent.
However, a planned conference to announce the shelving of the plans was called off, with sources saying an official statement would be released soon. "This is a clear issue which has to be addressed in future," he said.
A strategic retreat: By the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Bucharest
The decision to scrap the decree was taken by three men: Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the governing Social Democrats, Calin Tariceanu of their liberal coalition allies, and by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu.
It means that Romania's powerful Anti Corruption Agency can continue to work as before.
This was a strategic retreat by the government, but not a complete surrender.
The government continues to insist that the prosecutors, judges and secret services of Romania are out of control, and that it will try new ways to reduce their power in future.
A planned conference to announce the repeal was cancelled, with sources saying an official statement would be released soon.
The decree would have decriminalised abuse of power offences where sums of less than €44,000 (£38,000; $47,500) were involved.The decree would have decriminalised abuse of power offences where sums of less than €44,000 (£38,000; $47,500) were involved.
One immediate beneficiary would have been Liviu Dragnea, who leads the PSD and faces charges of defrauding the state of €24,000. One immediate beneficiary would have been Liviu Dragnea, head of the governing Social Democrats (PSD), who faces charges of defrauding the state of €24,000.
The government had earlier argued that the changes were needed to reduce prison overcrowding and align certain laws with the constitution.The government had earlier argued that the changes were needed to reduce prison overcrowding and align certain laws with the constitution.
But critics saw it as a way for the PSD to absolve officials convicted or accused of corruption.But critics saw it as a way for the PSD to absolve officials convicted or accused of corruption.