street protests intensify on approval of ordinance modifying criminal code

The protests in Bucharest have intensified, with over 100,000 people gathering yesterday evening (1 February) after the government passed an emergency ordinance on Tuesday evening (31 January) to decriminalise official misconduct in cases where the damage is less than RON 200,000 (EUR 44,000), as well as initiating a law that will grant amnesty to those sentenced to jail terms shorter than five years in relation to certain crimes, and halve prison terms for those with young children, pregnant women or those over 60. The government claims the changes are needed due to the overcrowding of the prisons and the risk of an ECHR penalty of EUR 80m for not complying with the EU regulation in terms of prison space. On the other hand, the protesters and opposition leaders are claiming that the changes are directed at lowering the penalties for those convicted for corruption (some party members of the current ruling party included) and will hinder the anti-corruption fight. More protests are expected over the coming days.