Thousands protest in Romania to defend rule of law

Protests took place on Sunday evening in Bucharest in front of the Romanian Government’s building in Victoriei Square, as well as in several cities across the country, against the enactment of the emergency ordinance that amends the justice laws.

Protesters shouted messages in support of former head prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi and of the magistrates who rejected the amendments to the justice laws as well. They also had slogans against PSD leader Liviu Dragnea and the Government, according to Hotnews.ro.

The number of protesters peaked at 8,000-10,000 according to estimates of Digi24 TV station and Adevarul daily, before it started snowing, at around 21:00. Road traffic was diverted in the area.

The protests on Sunday were the biggest since the violent incidents during the Diaspora protest on August 10, 2018. However, they were much smaller than the protests in February 2017, when the PSD-ALDE ruling coalition started its controversial justice reform.

Among the political leaders, Save Romania Union (USR) leader Dan Barna and PLUS leader Dacian Ciolos attended the rally.

Some incidents took place when the gendarmes intervened after several protesters came into conflict with a team from Antena 3, a TV station that is favorable to the ruling coalition.

(Photo source: Inquam Photos / George Calin)