Latest News from Romania
Romania's PM Refuses To Withdraw Decree On Corruption
Romania's Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu has announced that his government will continue with its proposals for decriminalising several corruption practices in spite of large-scale protests in the country - the largest in recent history.
"We took a decision in the government and we will move forward," said Grindeanu after a meeting of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
EC "Silently Postpones" Anti-Corruption Report on Romania
The European Commission declined on Thursday to comment on claims that it has "silently postponed" a regular anti-corruption report against the background of large-scale protests against the amendments to the Penal Code in Romania, reported the online edition of EuroActiv, cited by Focus agency.
The decision caused criticisms on the part of activists for transparency.
Romanians rally in biggest anti-corruption protest in decades
More than 250,000 Romanians demonstrated on Feb. 1 against a government decree decriminalizing some graft offences, seen as the biggest retreat on reforms since the country joined the European Union in 2007.
Huge Anti-graft Protests Leave Romania in Turmoil
The European Commission asked Romania's centre-left government on Thursday to reconsider relaxing anti-graft criminal legislation, after an estimated 300,000 people took to the streets in 50 cities in what has been deemed the largest protest in Romania in three decades.
EU May Freeze Romania's EU Funding over Controversial Law Change
EU Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans has said Romania may be facing a halt of EU funding allocated to the country in response to the changes in the legislation on abuse of office.
Romania's President Refers Criminal Law Change to Top Court
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has taken the country's decision to partly decriminalize abuse of office cases to the Constitutional Court.
"In respect to the [changes], I decided to notify the Constitutional Court of Romania," state-run AGERPRES agency quotes him as saying at a press conference.
The notification has already been sent to the court.
Romania Protests: Trade Minister Resigns, Rejecting Govt Stance
Florin Jianu has submitted his resignation as Romania's Justice Minister, following massive protests against controversial criminal law changes by the government.
On Facebook, he has said his consciousness tells him "this is not negotiable."
Violence Mars Romania's Protests over Controversial Law Changes
Romania's gendarmerie cleared the main square in Bucharest on Wednesday evening after continuing protests against changes to criminal law.
More than 100 000 people took the the streets of Bucharest according to different sources. The BBC has put the number at 150 000.
Demonstrations were also held in other Romanian towns and cities.
Romanian Magistrates To Appeal Govt Decree in Court
Romania's Supreme Council of Magistracy will appeal in court the decree of the government which grants amnesty for several crimes related to abuse of office.
President Klaus Iohannis who will also participate in the meeting of the magistrate council stated that, in a country where there is rule of law, there cannot be such actions as undertaken by the Romanian government.
Freedom House Highlights Threats to Balkan Democracies
US-based watchdog Freedom House's annual 'Freedom in the World' report, published on Thursday, identified Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Serbia as free countries, but Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro as only 'partly free'.
EC Warns Romania Not To Ruin Achievements in Combating Corruption
The European Commission has warned the government in Romania not to ruin the results achieved in combating corruption.
In a specific statement, the EC pointed outs that the latest events might have a negative effect on evaluations in the next monitoring report on the country.
Freedom House: Bulgaria Ranked as 'Free', but Gets EU's 2nd Worst Result
Bulgaria ranks as "Free" according to Freedom in the World 2017, Freedom House's annual report on political rights and civil liberties.
Roma 'King' Offers to Build Trump's Mexico Wall
Dorin Cioba, who is a Romanian citizen, has written to Trump saying that Roma people could do the job at a low cost because they suffer from high unemployment, Romanian media reported on Tuesday.
CEZ Mulls Selling its Business in Bulgaria
Czech-based holding CEZ said late in January it considered withdrawing from the Bulgarian market.
CEZ holds the biggest power supply business in Bulgaria (providing electricity to more than 3 million customers), with revenues to the tune of BGN 1.4 B, the biggest electricity distribution company, several hydropower plants, and a now defunct thermal power plant.
Massive Protests in Romania as Govt Changes Criminal Law
Thousands took to the streets of Romania on Tuesday evening after the government decided to change criminal legislation by emergency ordinance, local media report.
In a cabinet meeting, ministers unexpectedly added the item to the agenda, day ahead of schedule, according to Romania Insider.