Story highlights
- Proposed law would have decriminalized corruption and halted investigations into pending offenses
- Nation has been rocked by days of massive street protests
(CNN)Amid ongoing nationwide protests, the Romanian government has scrapped a bill that would have protected many politicians from being prosecuted for corruption.
The official repeal of the corruption decree was announced Sunday in a government statement after an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu's Cabinet.
The announcement and a nationally televised address by the Prime Minister a day earlier did little to stem anger over the now-abandoned corruption decree.
Massive rallies were held across the nation on Sunday, including at Victory Square in the capital of Bucharest.
At 9 p.m., protesters turned on their cell phone lights and pointed them at the sky, creating a sea of bright pinpoints. They sang the national anthem and later went silent for five minutes in memory of the heroes of the 1989 revolution that overthrew Communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Sunday was the sixth straight day of protests.
Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law
On Sunday, February 5, Romanians turned out for a sixth straight day to demonstrate against a new law passed last week that would decriminalize corruption. Amid the protests Sunday night, the decree was officially repealed in a government statement following an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu's Cabinet.
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Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law
Protesters demonstrate in Bucharest on February 5. The new law, which passed on January 31, would have decriminalized corruption that caused damage worth less than about $48,000 (200,000 lei). Liviu Dragnea, president of the ruling Social Democrat Party, and other high-ranking politicians stood to benefit from the new law. Dragnea is under investigation over abuse of power allegations.
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Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law
Protesters gather in front of a government building on Saturday, February 4. In a nationally televised address Saturday evening, Prime Minister Grindeanu told Romanians, "Romania cannot be torn apart."
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Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law
A woman displays a Romanian flag during a protest in Bucharest on Friday, February 3.
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Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law
Romanians demonstrate in Bucharest on Thursday, February 2, after the government weakened penalties for corruption. Thursday marked the third night of anti-government protests in the Romanian capital.
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Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law
A young girl offers a flower to a police officer during an anti-government protest February 2 in Bucharest.
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Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law
Protesters crowded in front of government headquarters in Bucharest on February 1, demonstrating against the passage of a law that would decriminalize corruption.
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